Meghan Markle thanks Nigerians for welcoming her to ‘my country’

Meghan Markle has thanked Nigerians for welcoming her to ‘my country’ as she hopes she can ‘do justice’ to being a ‘role model’.

The Duchess of Sussex, who recently discovered she is ’43 per cent Nigerian’, wowed crowds today as she and Prince Harry continue their whirlwind ‘royal’ tour to the African nation.

Meghan arrived almost an hour late to the women in leadership summit in a spaghetti strapped red dress without her husband Prince Harry.

She told the audience: ‘I want to start by saying thank you very much for just how gracious you’ve all been in welcoming my husband and I to this country… my country.’

She also added: ‘I am just flattered and honored and inspired. It has been a whirlwind 24 hours since we arrived, and I very quickly got the memo that I need to wear more colour, so I can fit in with all of you and your incredible fashion.’

When asked how she felt after discovering she was 43% Nigerian through a genealogy test, Meghan said the first thing she did was ‘call my mom, because I wanted to know if she had any awareness of it.’

Meghan went on: ‘Being African-American, part of it is really not knowing so much about your lineage or background, where you come from specifically.

‘And it was exciting for both of us to discover more and understand what that really means. Never in a million years would I have understood it as much as I do now.

‘It’s been really eye-opening and humbling to be able to know more about my heritage and to be able to know this is just the beginning of that discovery.’

Defining Nigerian women as ‘brave, resilient, courageous, powerful, beautiful’, Meghan said: ‘It is the most flattering thing to be in that company, to be in your company.’

She also added: ‘I often find that whatever travels I’ve done, regardless if it’s Nigeria or another country around the world, oftentimes when women reach the peak of success, they leave. 

‘But you need to come back home. You need to at least be a familiar face for the next generation to say: “Oh, she looks like me – and I can be that.”

‘And I think that is a really key piece in all of it… It’s defined by, and you still always want to come back home, because that’s how you’re going to help shift any sort of generational pattern that might be stifling, especially for young girls who need to see someone who looks like them in that same position.’

After being told by a moderator that she had ‘come home’, Meghan replied: ‘I hope that I could do justice to the role model that I think so many young women deserve to have.

‘Obviously in the face of all of you here, I know that they, they see that. But being able to be a small part of that means a lot.’

Earlier today, Meghan wowed crowds again as she attended a lunch with the Nigerian defence minister. 

Wearing a shoulderless St Agni full length white dress Meghan drew gasps from onlookers as she walked into the officers mess for the reception with the Nigerian chief of defence staff Christopher Musa.

Harry had a cream linen suit and was heard joking with one guest who was wearing a black tuxedo: ‘Love your jacket. I want it.’

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

The lunch event 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. 

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.

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.

‘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 ran over 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.’

Earlier in the day Meghan sparked mayhem as she turned up to the exhibition volleyball match in an embroidered £2,275 Joanna Ortiz Tropicana Nights dress, patterned with black and white palm leaves as she tried to beat the 35c heat.

The outdoor volleyball match at the Officers Mess was their first official engagement on Saturday and once again the couple were the centre of attention.

Meghan was happy to pose for selfies – at one point being lost amongst the crowd – and some were even reduced to tears after meeting her.

Meanwhile Harry also delighted onlookers when he took part in a game. However unfortunately his Nigeria Unconquered team ended up losing 21-25 to the Chief of Defence staff squad with all the players being wounded military personnel. 

The Sussex Squad – a group of Harry and Meghan fans – were out in force as they cheered the Duke and Duchess on their arrival just before midday.

Aptly named Royalty Ojeh, six, was chosen to present a stem of roses to Meghan who pulled one out of the bunch and handed it back to the awe-struck little girl.

As they arrived there were loud cheers from a group of fans holding up placards reading ’43 per cent Nigerian’ in a nod to Meghan’s recent admission of her west African heritage. 

Others jokingly said ‘Harry you owe us dowry’ with London based Michela Rituc explaining: ‘ It’s traditional for dowry and Meghan is Nigerian so he owes us.

‘When she announced her heritage, I already knew it you can just tell from the mother’s face and the grandmother’s face, definitely eastern Nigerian.

‘The features say it all and the whole country melted when she said it, she is our daughter, our daughter and we couldn’t be happier.

‘We have always loved Meghan, ever since we saw her in Suits and we are so happy she has come home to visit us.’

As he took to the pitch to join in with Invictus game board member David Wisey, Harry took off a green and white Nigerian scarf he had been given before enthusiastically joining in.

Sitting on the ground he joined the Nigeria Unconquered team for a huddle and motivational high five before getting stuck in.

Many of the players – who included men and women – were amputees and Meghan looked on clapping and cheering as Harry and his team.

But it was the Nigerian Chief of Defence staff team who took the match and there were smiles and hugs all round at the end as Harry and Meghan met the players.

As with the defence headquarters meeting on Friday at times there were chaotic scenes as Meghan was engulfed by excited fans in pop star style scenes.

Harry – who at times appeared concerned – continually cast a vigilant eye towards his wife as their US and American security team tried to keep control.

A source close to the couple told MailOnline: ‘They are so happy to be in Nigeria and having a great time. Everyone has been so welcoming towards them and they are really feeling the warmth of the people.

‘As far as they are concerned it’s been a fantastic trip and they couldn’t be happier.’

On Sunday the couple will travel to Lagos where they will watch a basketball match and also attend a fundraising event at the city’s polo ground before returning to Britain on Monday and onwards to California.

The spectacle comes as the couple enjoy the second day of their 72-hour tour of the African nation, the day after Harry and Meghan delighted schoolchildren when they visited the Wuse Lightway Academy.

Harry spoke to a group of pupils at the school – which is supported by the couple’s Archewell Foundation – about mental health, and referenced when someone has ‘lost a loved one in your family and you don’t know who to turn to or who to speak to’.

The Duke – who was 12 and his brother William 15 when Diana died in Paris in 1997 – added that there was ‘no shame to be able to acknowledge that today is a bad day’,

He also told the children: ‘You can have it, she (Meghan) can have it, I can have it. They can have it. Every single one of us is likely to have it on any given day.’

The couple flew in together just before 5am following a secret reunion at London Heathrow’s VIP Windsor Suite on Thursday after the Duchess arrived from Los Angeles.

It comes after Harry said it was ‘great’ to be back in the UK this week to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. The Duke had been in London since Tuesday to attend events relating to the competition including a thanksgiving service.

The Sussexes, visiting Nigeria together for the first time, were seated in the first class section of the Boeing 777 and were kept apart from other passengers by a curtain.