Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stood for God Save The King at a Nigerian charity event yesterday - in the same week Charles 'snubb...
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stood for God Save The King at a Nigerian charity event yesterday - in the same week Charles 'snubbed' seeing his son on his whistle-stop trip to the UK.
The stern-looking Sussexes stood and stared straight ahead as trumpets blared the British national anthem as military personnel saluted around them at a lunch with the Nigerian chief of defence staff Christopher Musa.
The event came just hours after Harry, 39, had left London feeling 'deeply stung' after he said his father was 'too busy' to meet up with him during his three-day stay in the capital to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Invictus Games.
Speculation had been growing there would be a reunion between the Duke of Sussex and his cancer-stricken father during his three-day stay in London.
Those close to Harry say the prince put in a request to see his father well in advance of him making the 5,000 mile journey from his home in California with the visit 'long on the radar'.
But despite Harry and the 75-year-old monarch, at times, being just miles apart the Duke was told his father was 'too busy' to see him during his rare and short trip.
Sources in the Duke's camp say he had notified his father of an intent to see him during the trip. However, those within the King's circles insist that there was no notification given by Harry ahead of time.
The lunch event in Abuja came shortly after Harry and Meghan attended a sitting volleyball match and were mobbed by fans as they carried on their Nigeria visit – which has become a royal tour in all but name.
After being seated in their specially marked chairs, the British and Nigerian national anthems were played with the couple facing a stage decorated with red, white and blue balloons.
Wearing a shoulderless St Agni full length white dress Meghan drew gasps from onlookers as she walked into the officers mess for the reception.
Guests at the lunch were able to choose from five different menus including special fried rice, fish fillet sauce and jollof rice.
There was cow offal with ofada sauce or if you they were reluctant to try the traditional Nigerian menu they could opt for spaghetti bolognese or grilled chicken.
A dance troupe entertained guests with music and rhythmic drumming with Harry and Meghan tapping and swaying to the beat.
A giant poster on the stage was perhaps not the best choice as it featured a rather stern looking Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
During the lunch Abike Dabiri-Erewa of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission gave a warm tribute to Meghan and her west African heritage – although she got her title wrong.
She said: ’Princess Meghan, we want to thank you for coming home and Prince Harry thank you for bringing her home.
‘You have married a sister of ours and we hope that you come home again, again and again.’
Meghan is a Princess of the royal family, but she is not entitled to call herself Princess Meghan.
She was given the title after marrying Prince Harry -e Duchess of Sussex by the late Queen Elizabeth and the title Princess as she wasn’t born into the royal family.
Noticeably the Duke and Duchess appeared not to eat anything on offer and at times the lunch descended into chaos with a disco beat thumping in the background.
The couple listened to stories from several amputees and among them was lance corporal Peacemaker Azuegbulam, 27, who lost his left leg while fighting.
He told MailOnline: 'I am excited that Harry and Meghan are here and I have been inspired by their vision in the Invictus Games.
'Like him I have given selfless service and am now in a military hospital, but I hope to take part in the Invictus Games and encourage my e fellow wounded comrades there is ability in our disability.'
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