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Meghan Markle views her and Prince Harry’s recent visit to Nigeria as a significant personal victory and validation of her stance on the British Royal Family, according to royal biographer Tom Quinn. Acting as ambassadors for the Invictus Games, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited the West African nation in May, with Meghan reportedly reveling in the positive reception she received.
As per The Mirror, Quinn remarked, “Meghan sees her visit to Nigeria as a huge success and proof that she was right all along – she and Harry should have been allowed to be part-time royals, because they are really good at it.” He noted that while Meghan exuded confidence and joy throughout the trip, Harry appeared more reserved.
“Meghan’s face during the Nigeria tour said it all. Her pleasure in being treated as a great figure was unmistakable,” Quinn added. “Harry, on the other hand, often looked unsure of himself, with that unconfident, slightly sad-little-boy look – the look of someone asked to do something he was never quite sure of by his more confident partner.” Quinn also speculated that Harry’s admiration for Meghan’s poise may have blinded him to how their trip might aggravate tensions with Prince William and King Charles III.
Though described as a private three-day visit, the tour bore all the hallmarks of an official royal engagement. Upon arrival in Abuja, the capital, Meghan and Harry were welcomed with a red carpet and traditional ethnic dancers. At Lightway Academy, the couple participated in a multi-day mental health conference and announced a collaboration between the Archewell Foundation and the GEANCO Foundation to supply menstrual products and school supplies to underprivileged children.
Christopher Musa, a senior Nigerian military officer, invited the couple, and during their visit to the Nigerian Defence Headquarters, Meghan and Harry signed a guest book, expressing gratitude for the warm reception. Despite their formal withdrawal from royal duties in 2020, their activities closely resembled the state tours they once undertook, sparking a wave of hospitality from Nigerians who embraced them warmly. Among the gifts they received was a touching photo of a young Harry with his late mother, Princess Diana.
However, their visit reportedly incensed King Charles and Prince William. Quinn revealed, “William is absolutely furious and determined to find a way to stop this happening in [the] future. Charles is said to be angrier than anyone has ever seen him,” emphasizing the tension caused by the event being treated like an official royal tour.
