Meghan in her element!: Duchess of Sussex dutifully poses for selfies with excited children alongside Prince Harry as couple’s quasi-royal tour of Nigeria continues
- The Duchess of Sussex was described by one child as ‘literally so nice’
Meghan posed for selfies with excited children on her and Prince Harry‘s quasi-royal tour of Nigeria.
The Duchess of Sussex was pictured in behind the scenes footage in a room of beaming schoolchildren.
In an apparent seal of approval, one of the children shared a picture with the message: ‘She’s literally so nice!’
On Friday Meghan was left behind by her husband as he left for the state of Kaduna 120 miles north west of capital Abuja.
He toured wards in a military hospital full of injured young servicemen while visiting the area, which is listed as a no-go zone by the UK Foreign Office.
Meghan was pictured with a group of beaming schoolchildren during her visit to Nigeria
One of the excited children shared a picture saying Meghan was ‘literally so nice!’
Harry left his wife behind in the Nigerian capital to visit Kaduna state, where he was dressed in traditional clothing
The Duke of Sussex was also presented with two paintings, including one of his mother, the late Diana, Princess of Wales
Harry shook hands with 50 injured service personnel while visiting a military hospital in Kaduna
The royal was seen assuring patients that they ‘would get better’ and ‘get back on your feet’
The prince was dressed in traditional clothing including a waistcoat and a ‘Big Gown’ which he needed help getting over his head.
On arrival to the zone, which is partly controlled by armed bandits, Harry apologised for leaving his wife behind in the Nigerian capital.
He told the audience: ‘I’m sorry that I didn’t bring my wife.’
During the hospital visit he shook hands with around 50 former service personnel and told them:’ You are going to get better, get back on your feet.’
Harry and Meghan were given a rockstar’s welcome on arrival in Nigeria as excited crowds clamoured to take selfies while the military rolled out the red carpet.
Aside from the school visit during which they danced with pupils, other parts of the tour were more formal including meeting officials at Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters.
Royal expert Phil Dampier said of the couple’s visit: ‘The trip to Nigeria has been described as a private one but it was at the invitation of the country’s Defence Minister and it has the air of a sort of quasi-royal tour.’
Harry and Meghan with their entourage of personal protection officers at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja
Harry gesturing after his visit to the Kaduna State Government House
The prince opted to leave his wife in the Nigerian capital while he travelled to the high risk zone, which is partly controlled by armed bandits
On their quasi-royal tour the Sussexes are accompanied by an entourage of security vehicles as well as additional protection paid for by Nigeria
Prince Harry with the Governor of Kaduna State Uba Sani at the State Government House
Harry, who has previously been concerned about his security in the UK, is accompanied in Nigeria by a four-person security team for the 72-hour visit for which they he has paid himself.
The couple also have additional protection provided by the west African country.
While in Abuja, the couple visited the Lightway Academy college which receives support from their Archewell Foundation to educate and train young girls affected by conflicts in Nigeria.
During their visit, the pair are also expected to attend volleyball and basketball matches, as well as visit non-governmental organisations to which they have given support.
Meghan will also co-host an event on women in leadership with Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, director general of the World Trade Organisation, according to their spokesman Charlie Gipson.
