The king of the court! Harry and Meghan meet young Lagos students on basketball court (and the Duke even shows off his dance moves)
Prince Harry showed off his basketball skills and his dance moves to crowds of students in Lagos as he and Meghan enjoyed the last day of their trip to Nigeria.
Meghan chatted with youngsters courtside as Harry got stuck in with the game, sharing high fives with them and receiving rampant applause as he got the ball through the hoop.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were also seen dancing along with the excited children, who are part of a sporting project called Giants of Africa.
‘What you guys are doing here at Giants of Africa is truly amazing,’ Harry said. ‘The power of sport can change lives. It brings people together and creates community and there are no barriers, which is the most important thing.’
The couple met with the excited kids during their 72-hour whistlestop tour to the West African nation, which they are using to promote the Invictus Games.
Prince Harry high-fived the youngsters, who are part of a sporting project called Giants of Africa
The couple were seen clapping and smiling as they joined the children, who were all holding basketballs and wearing yellow t-shirts, for a photo opportunity
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex chats with a wheelchair basketball player, as she attends a basketball event in Lagos
Prince Harry received rampant applause from the children as he got the ball through the hoop
Harry and Meghan met with the children at the Ilupeju Senior Grammar School on May 12
The couple met with the excited kids during their 72-hour whistlestop tour to the West African nation, which they are using to promote the Invictus Games
‘What you guys are doing here at Giants of Africa is truly amazing,’ Harry told the organisers
The Sussexes revealed today that their charity, the Archewell Foundation, will help Giants of Africa to construct a basketball court in the capital Abuja.
The couple jetted to Lagos today, where the Prince joined youngsters on a basketball court in his suit jacket to practice drills, throwing the ball in the air and dribbling it.
Meghan was seen bobbing her head to the beat as the children clapped and sang for them ahead of basketball practice.
Former Toronto Raptors star Masai Ujiri, president of Giants of Africa, wished Meghan a happy Mother’s Day and said his organisation was uniting communities and uplifting young people through sport, especially basketball.
Meghan said she had first heard of Giants of Africa while in Toronto, where she lived for seven years while making the hit TV legal drama Suits.
‘Talk about full circle again – never did I think we would be able to be here all those years later supporting the expansion of this incredible organization,’ she said.
Harry and Meghan touched down in Lagos after spending two days in Abuja where the couple were also mobbed at a sitting volleyball match.
Harry sported sunglasses, a beige jacket, and a white shirt as he spoke at today’s event in Lagos
The couple’s charity, the Archewell Foundation, will help Giants of Africa to construct a basketball court in the capital Abuja
Meghan said she had first heard of Giants of Africa while in Toronto, where she lived for seven years while making the hit TV legal drama Suits
Dressed in a white Carolina Herrera shirt, Meghan wore a traditional dark and light blue Nigerian skirt that had been gifted to her on Saturday during an official lunch.
Harry sported sunglasses, a beige jacket, and a white shirt, as they shook the hands of military dignitaries who stood along the runway.
In scenes reminiscent of a presidential visit their fourteen car convoy – complete with machine guns mounted on trucks – the couple swept from the airport to a basketball court where they met children from a local school.
After visiting the sports centre the couple went to the Delborough Hotel for a wardrobe change before heading to the reception with Governor Babjide Sanwa-Olu.
Dressed in a white Carolina Herrera shirt, Meghan wore a traditional dark and light blue Nigerian skirt
Harry shakes hands with a young basketball player as he joined the children at their practice
Non-profit Giants of Africa uses sport to empower young people. Harry and Meghan unveiled a partnership with the NGO today
The Prince joined youngsters on a basketball court in his suit jacket to practice drills, throwing the ball in the air and dribbling it
The couple spoke to organisers and watched on as the children practiced at the court in Lagos
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Lagos airport for Official State Welcome on May 12, 2024
Their visit will end on Sunday with a fundraising polo match for Nigeria Unconquered and a gala dinner before they head back to London on Monday and then onto California.
Harry sported sunglasses, a beige jacket, and a white shirt, as they shook the hands of military dignitaries who stood along the runway.
The couple, visiting Nigeria together for the first time, stood on a red carpet and applauded and gasped as they were greeted with a traditional dance.
It comes after Meghan revealed on her Spotify podcast Archetypes in 2022 that she found out she has Nigerian ancestry, describing herself as ’43 per cent Nigerian’.
The couple’s visit will end on Sunday with a fundraising polo match for Nigeria Unconquered
During a visit to the Nigerian team at last year’s Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, Meghan was given the name Amira Ngozi Lolo, which holds a special royal meaning.
Amira’ means warrior princess from a legend, while ‘Ngozi’ means blessed and ‘Lolo’ means royal wife.
Harry also joked about Meghan’s ancestry during his opening speech at the games.
He said: ‘Now, I’m not saying we play favourites in our home, but since my wife discovered she’s of Nigerian descent, it’s likely to get a little bit more competitive this year.’
The duke celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games at St Paul’s Cathedral in London on Wednesday.
Harry was joined for the service of thanksgiving by close relatives of his mother Diana, Princess of Wales and a mentor who supported him after her death, along with hundreds of people from the ‘Invictus family’.
The St Paul’s service to recognise the Paralympic-style competition the royal founded began as a few miles away the King met guests at the first Buckingham Palace garden party of the year.