Awkward moment Harry and Meghan stand for God Save The King at Nigerian charity event – after Charles ‘snubbed’ his son on whistle-stop Invictus trip to Britain because he was ‘too busy’

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stood for God Save The King at a Nigerian charity event yesterday – in the same week Charles ‘snubbed’ seeing his son on his whistle-stop trip to the UK. 

The stern-looking Sussexes stood and stared straight ahead as trumpets blared the British national anthem as military personnel saluted around them at a lunch with the Nigerian chief of defence staff Christopher Musa. 

The event came just hours after Harry, 39, had left London feeling ‘deeply stung’ after he said his father was ‘too busy’ to meet up with him during his three-day stay in the capital to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Invictus Games.     

Sources close to Harry’s camp said they were bemused that the King did not see his son with the Duke’s spokesman confirming his ‘father’s diary commitments’ had got in the way at the prospect of any reunion. 

Speculation had been growing there would be a reunion between the Duke of Sussex and his cancer-stricken father during his three-day stay in London.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stood for God Save The King at a Nigerian charity event yesterday

The event came just hours after Harry, 39, had left London feeling ‘deeply stung’ after he said his father was ‘too busy’ to meet up with him

Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, received gifts at a reception in Nigeria

Those close to Harry say the prince put in a request to see his father well in advance of him making the 5,000 mile journey from his home in California with the visit ‘long on the radar’.

But despite Harry and the 75-year-old monarch, at times, being just miles apart the Duke was told his father was ‘too busy’ to see him during his rare and short trip.

Sources in the Duke’s camp say he had notified his father of an intent to see him during the trip. However, those within the King’s circles insist that there was no notification given by Harry ahead of time.

The lunch event in Abuja came shortly after Harry and Meghan attended a sitting volleyball match and were mobbed by fans as they carried on their Nigeria visit – which has become a royal tour in all but name.

After being seated in their specially marked chairs, the British and Nigerian national anthems were played with the couple facing a stage decorated with red, white and blue balloons. 

Wearing a shoulderless St Agni full length white dress Meghan drew gasps from onlookers as she walked into the officers mess for the reception.

Guests at the lunch were able to choose from five different menus including special fried rice, fish fillet sauce and jollof rice.

There was cow offal with ofada sauce or if you they were reluctant to try the traditional Nigerian menu they could opt for spaghetti bolognese or grilled chicken.

Meghan Markle wowed crowds in Nigeria as she wore a shoulder less St Agni full length white dress to a lunch with the Nigerian defence minister

Prince Harry is gifted a shirt during the ceremony in Abuja, Nigeria

Meghan seemed engaged in a delightful conversation with one of the party guests as she attended the reception with the Nigerian chief of defence staff Christopher Musa

Meghan is pictured stodd next to five other female dinner guests as she attended a lunch with Minister of Defence in Abuja Nigeria

Meghan and Harry look on during the dance performances in Abuja on Saturday

The Duke gave a speech thanking his hosts, saying it was an ‘immense honour’ to be in Nigeria

They sat in specially marked chairs during the assembly at the Nigerian Defence Headquarters

Harry and his wife Meghan at a lunch with Minister of Defence in Abuja Nigeria

Meghan looked blown away as she watched the entertainment during a lunch with the Nigerian defence minister

Harry and Meghan couldn’t contain their delight as the watched dancers perform during their lunch in Nigeria

A group of dancers provided the entertain for the lunch event attended by the Duke and Duchess in Nigeria on Saturday

Meghan and Harry attend a Sit Out at the Nigerian Defence Headquarters in Abuja on May 11

A dance troupe entertained guests with music and rhythmic drumming with Harry and Meghan tapping and swaying to the beat.

A giant poster on the stage was perhaps not the best choice as it featured a rather stern looking Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

During the lunch Abike Dabiri-Erewa of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission gave a warm tribute to Meghan and her west African heritage – although she got her title wrong.

She said: ’Princess Meghan, we want to thank you for coming home and Prince Harry thank you for bringing her home.

‘You have married a sister of ours and we hope that you come home again, again and again.’

Meghan is a Princess of the royal family, but she is not entitled to call herself Princess Meghan.

She was given the title after marrying Prince Harry -e Duchess of Sussex by the late Queen Elizabeth and the title Princess as she wasn’t born into the royal family.

Noticeably the Duke and Duchess appeared not to eat anything on offer and at times the lunch descended into chaos with a disco beat thumping in the background.

The couple listened to stories from several amputees and among them was lance corporal Peacemaker Azuegbulam, 27, who lost his left leg while fighting.

He told MailOnline: ‘I am excited that Harry and Meghan are here and I have been inspired by their vision in the Invictus Games.

Prince Harry was ‘deeply stung’ by King Charles ‘ ‘snub’ during his whistle-stop trip to the UK, his friends have claimed (Harry pictured at the Invictus Games Conversation on Tuesday)

Harry was only a few miles from Charles as he flew into London for the Invictus Games event

King Charles III is pictured holding papers as he arrives at Clarence House in London on Tuesday – as Harry was set to jet in

Invictus Games Foundation chief executive Dominic Reid and Prince Harry at the Honourable Artillery Company in London on Tuesday

Prince Harry pictured meeting Louise Minchin at the Invictus Games event at Armoury House  on May 7

‘Like him I have given selfless service and am now in a military hospital, but I hope to take part in the Invictus Games and encourage my e fellow wounded comrades there is ability in our disability.’

The event which overan ran by almost an hour had the couple’s entourage frantic as Meghan was due to take part in a Women in Leadership event at 3pm – but they were still at the lunch with ten minutes to go.

Meghan was due to speak at the private event with Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of the World Trade Organisation – but as she was due to take the stage they were being presented with an array of brightly coloured shirts and dresses.

Earlier in a five minute speech Harry had thanked his hosts and said it was an ‘immense honour’ to be in Nigeria where the ‘reception and energy have been remarkable’.

He also paid tribute to 16 men from the 181 Amphibious Battalion who were killed in a peace mission in Nigeria’s Delta region in March.

He said: ‘Their sacrifice showed the true cost of service and the profound impact of conflict on children and nations alike.’

Harry also praised Nigeria for its commitment to the Invictus Games and said that he had ‘goosebumps’ from hearing the ‘efforts being made’ by the country to build facilities for wounded soldiers.

He added: ‘Uniting our efforts we can make remarkable progress in acknowledging sacrifices made by our military personnel.’

Harry then joked: ‘We know move onwards to Lagos where they may be some dancing and I thank you for your hospitality.’