Nigerians are eagerly awaiting to welcome their “daughter” Meghan Markle’s royal visit next month alongside Prince Harry. Social media is already buzzing with excitement, with some users saying they were “overwhelmed with joy”, promising a vibrant celebration upon their arrival.
Meghan revealed in 2022 that she discovered she was “43 percent Nigerian” as a result of genealogy research conducted some years ago, according to the Daily Mail. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are set to visit Nigeria after receiving an invitation from the country’s chief of defense staff.
The invitation follows a meeting between Prince Harry and the chief of defense staff at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf last September.
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Daniel Egwu, a resident of Enugu, Nigeria, expressed his joy on X: “I’m excited about this news! Our beloved sister, Meghan, and our brother-in-law, Harry are welcome to Nigeria!”
Another X user wrote: “Harry and Meghan are coming to Nigeria in May! We cannot wait to welcome them! And our good sis is coming home for the first time. We have been waiting since she discovered she’s a daughter of the soil.”
And a third said: “Meghan is coming to Nigeria with Prince Harry? Our 43 percent Nigerian sister? Ah! It’s about to be a celebration! We are about to show off!”
Prince Harry will first attend the 10th-anniversary ceremony of the Invictus Games at St Paul’s Cathedral in London on May 8, with Meghan not expected to join him in Britain. However, the couple will then journey to Nigeria, where they plan to meet with service members and families and engage in cultural activities.
The Invictus Games, established for injured and sick military personnel and veterans, serves as a poignant backdrop for their visit. Additional specifics regarding the trip are not yet known.
Prince Harry made reference to Meghan’s Nigerian heritage during the opening ceremony of the Dusseldorf Invictus Games last September. This mention coincided with Nigeria’s inaugural participation in the event alongside Colombia and Israel.
“We’re really excited to have new nations join us. Let’s hear it for Colombia, Israel, and Nigeria,” Harry told the crowd at the Merkur Spiel-Arena.
“Now, I’m not saying we play favorites in our home, but since my wife discovered she is of Nigerian descent, it’s likely to get a little bit more competitive this year!”
During the event, Meghan affectionately embraced a competitor, addressing her as “my Nigerian sister”, and later met more team members and the defense chief, who bestowed upon her the nickname “Amira Ngozi Lolo”.
The moniker, derived from Nigerian culture, symbolizes a warrior princess (‘Amira’), blessed (‘Ngozi’), and of royal stature (‘Lolo’), with permission granted for its use during her visits to the country.
Derek Cobbinah, who coordinated Nigeria’s debut at the 2023 competition, shared with Hello! magazine at the time that Meghan was greatly moved by the nickname bestowed upon her.
He also mentioned he expressed her desire to arrange a family trip to Nigeria.
