Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrived in Abuja, Nigeria on May 10th for a three-day visit. Their initial destination was Lightwe Academy, a school located in the capital city. Later in the afternoon, they toured the defense headquarters.
However, President Ubu and the FCT (Federal Capital Territory) Minister decided to snub their visit. Despite living in Abuja, both the president and the FCT minister did not grant them an audience. It seems that their visit wasn't considered a priority, given the pressing matters at hand in Abuja. This snub is expected to lead to awkwardness with King Charles.
Last year, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu met King Charles in Dubai during the COP28 climate summit. Tinubu described the British monarch as a passionate climate advocate and highlighted the productive nature of their meeting.
This encounter was seen as a significant step in strengthening the partnership between Nigeria and the United Kingdom in terms of environmental stewardship. The Nigerian president's connection with King Charles adds to the tension surrounding Prince Harry and Meghan's visit to Nigeria.
During their three-day visit, Prince Harry and Meghan aimed to promote the Invictus Games, which is celebrating its 10th year. Nigeria is being considered as a prospective host country for the games in the future, although no decision has been made yet.
This visit to West Africa is seen by some commentators as a PR effort to improve the couple's image. Critics suggest that Prince Harry, no longer representing the crown, is now more of a reality star and tell-all author. They believe that Harry and Meghan are trying to appear more important than they actually are.
Although the couple's visit was initially expected to be discreet and private, it has become increasingly evident that it was planned as a royal tour. They have been carrying out tasks typically associated with official royal visits, immersing themselves deeper into Commonwealth territory. However, some have criticized Meghan's choice of attire, likening it to that of a hungover cougar visiting a bar.
In response to the visit, Richard Montgomery, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, clarified that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were visiting in a private capacity and not in an official capacity representing the UK government. The British High Commission has had no involvement in arranging or facilitating their program.
