The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, are on a 3-day trip to Nigeria. Here are the key points about their visit:
- They are promoting the Invictus Games for wounded veterans
- Meghan recently found out she has Nigerian ancestry
- They will visit schools, a military center, and meet athletes
- Nigeria hopes to host the Invictus Games in the future
Why is this royal couple’s trip to Nigeria getting so much attention? Read on to find out.
The Invictus Games Brought Them to Nigeria
Prince Harry co-founded the Invictus Games ten years ago. This sporting event is for sick or injured military veterans and personnel. Last year, Nigeria took part for the first time. Their team won a gold and bronze medal.
The main reason for Harry and Meghan’s visit is to highlight the Invictus Games. They want to encourage more countries like Nigeria to get involved. Over the next few days, they will go to a military rehabilitation center. There, they will likely meet some Nigerian veterans.
Meghan’s Nigerian Roots
There is another big reason this trip is essential for Meghan. Two years ago, she did a family ancestry test. She found out she is 43% Nigerian! Prince Harry even mentioned this in a speech at last year’s Invictus Games opening ceremony.
For Meghan, being able to visit the country her ancestors are from must be very meaningful. She will get to see Nigerian culture, meet local people, and experience the place her family has roots.
Their Busy Schedule in Nigeria
The Duke and Duchess have a packed schedule during their short stay. Here are some of the key events they will attend:
- Visiting a secondary school in Lagos to launch a mental health initiative
- Going to Abuja to meet with members of Nigeria’s Invictus Games team
- Meghan will speak at an event about women in leadership roles
Although it is not an official royal tour, the media and public in Nigeria are still very excited. Wherever Harry and Meghan go, there is enormous interest and attention.
Could Nigeria Host the Invictus Games?
Nigerian officials hope that this visit will lead to their country hosting the Invictus Games in the future. If that happens, it would guarantee many more trips by the royal couple.
Hosting a big international event like the Invictus Games would be a significant achievement for Nigeria. It could shine a positive light on the country globally. And Harry and Meghan would likely make frequent visits to help promote it.
Looking Ahead
In the short term, all eyes will be on Prince Harry and Meghan as they carry out their various engagements across Nigeria. Fans are eager to see how they interact with people and experience Nigerian culture.
But in the long run, the big question is – could this visit eventually pave the way for Nigeria to host the Invictus Games one day? Only time will tell if Harry and Meghan’s trip leads to that significant opportunity.
What positive impact could hosting the Invictus Games have on Nigeria and its people? We should consider that as we follow this royal couple’s visit.ย
