In a display of warmth and hospitality, Nigerians welcomed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, on their recent visit to the country.

The three-day trip was filled with exciting activities that left a lasting impression on the royal couple.

Upon their arrival in Abuja, the couple was greeted by a train of cultural performers, who delighted them with a traditional welcome dance.

They couple then kicked off their visit with a mental health summit at Lightway Academy in the Federal Capital Territory, after which the Duke engaged with wounded soldiers, showcasing his commitment to supporting those in need.

Their journey also took them to Kaduna State, where Governor Uba Sani warmly received them. The governor presented Harry with traditional Hausa attire and two photo frames capturing Harry and his late mother, Princess Diana; and another with his wife.

The purpose of the tour was to champion mental health awareness for young people and promote the Invictus Games, an international sporting event founded by Prince Harry, to aid in the rehabilitation of wounded and sick service members and veterans.

In Lagos, Prince Harry enjoyed exceptional hospitality during his stay at the exclusive Delborough Hotel.

He also attended a basketball game with the Giants of Africa Foundation, an organisation that helps the youth through engagement in sports. Harry even went a step further to play with some of the children. He also gave a short speech where he said, “The power of sports can change lives. It brings people together and creates community. There are no barriers, which is the most important thing.”

The royal couple also graced the Lagos Polo Club with their presence, where they were treated to exceptional hospitality during the 2024 Charity Polo Day.

The couple was apparently happy to be visiting Nigeria. In 2022, when Megan found out that she was ‘43 per cent Nigerian’ after doing a genealogy test, she expressed her desire to connect better with her roots.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, expressed delight in welcoming Prince Harry and shared his hopes for the visit. He remarked, “For Prince Harry, it’s been a very interesting and informative trip to the country. Part of the things that we’re hoping he will take away is to see the diversity and the extent of how big our country is and how we continue to ensure that we live together in peace and harmony.”