THE Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, have agreed to visit Nigeria on the invitation of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa.
The British High Commissioner in Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomerry, who disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), however, clarified: “It’s great that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are visiting Nigeria, which I understand is at the invitation of Defence Headquarters.
“But they are visiting in a private capacity, not an official one. So, the British High Commission is not involved in arranging or facilitating their programme.
“They are not representing the work of His Majesty’s Government on this visit.”
Harry is expected to kick off the journey on May 8 by attending the 10th anniversary celebration of the Invictus Games at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.
He would be joined shortly after in Nigeria by Meghan for a series of engagements aimed at fostering cultural exchange and celebrating the spirit of resilience among service members.
The royal couple’s itinerary includes visits to military rehabilitation centres, sports facilities and meetings with local organisations working to support veterans’ welfare, as well as attend cultural events and engage in discussions with community leaders on topics.
The trip holds special significance, as it underscores Harry’s dedication to the Invictus Games, an international sporting event for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women.
Last year’s Invictus Games in Germany saw the participation of 500 athletes from 21 countries, including the debut of Nigeria, Colombia and Israel in the event.
Minister of Defense, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, has expressed eagerness to host the games in the future to further solidify Nigeria’s commitment to promoting inclusivity and sportsmanship.
During their time at the Invictus Games in Germany, Harry and Meghan shared memorable moments with Team Nigeria, showcasing their support and camaraderie.
In a lighthearted exchange, Harry joked about the friendly competition between him and Meghan, especially since she discovered her Nigerian heritage.
Meghan’s connection to Nigeria runs deep, as she revealed on her podcast, Archetypes, that she has Nigerian ancestry, with her genealogy test showing she is 43 Nigerian.
The revelation further strengthens the bond between the Duchess and the Nigerian people, fostering a sense of shared identity and belonging.
