The Duke of Sussex has proudly praised his wife in front of Nigerian officials during the first day of their visit to the Commonwealth nation.
Prince Harry and Meghan were invited by the country’s Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Musa, to show them how the country is changing and saving veterans’ lives through sport in collaboration with the Invictus Games.
General Musa formally welcomed the couple during a meeting at the Defence Headquarters in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja.
Prince Harry was keen to stress the reason he and Meghan had come to Nigeria was the links forged through the Invictus Games and the rehabilitation through sport for injured and wounded.
Prince Harry paid a beautiful compliment to his wife
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He seemed pleased the Commonwealth nation had adopted sport as part of rehabilitation, and thanked the Chief of Defence Staff for welcoming him and his wife to “this beautiful country”.
The Duke added: “You’re not the first country to notice that it not only transforms lives but saves lives. I’m eternally grateful to all of you for joining the Invictus movement for Nigeria and for every single soul who’s been injured protecting the freedoms of Nigeria.”
Reflecting on his memories of the Düsseldorf Invictus Games last year, Prince Harry said Nigeria was a welcome addition to the Invictus community.
“The team that turned up in Düsseldorf was small but mighty. They danced their way onto the stage. They won medals and danced off the stage. They were the life and soul of those games.
“Our goal now is to help you grow that team and provide more opportunity and resource here in Nigeria and for the games that are coming at the beginning of next year.”
Prince Harry also hinted that the country could host the games in 2029, acknowledging there had “been an expression of interest”.
General Musa told the fifth in line to the throne that he realised sport can give new hope to wounded and injured soldiers.
He said: “When I saw them at Invictus and seeing them smile and seeing their faces – they thought the world had forgotten them but I could see they were appreciated.”
Harry and Meghan were told that terrorism and criminals, including the use of improvised explosive devices, presented “the greatest challenge” to Nigeria’s armed forces.
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Meghan Markle beamed alongside Prince Harry as the couple undertook the first engagements of their three-day tour of Nigeria
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The Prince said he was looking forward to seeing the armed forces hospital in Kaduna later, so he could see first hand the scale of the problem.
Meghan wrote an personal message in the visitor’s book which read: “With gratitude for the support of the Invictus community. And for welcoming me home”.
Prince Harry praised his wife’s “beautiful handwriting” and added to the visitor’s book himself: “Thank you for welcoming us to your beautiful country together, we will heal our troops.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex walked hand in hand outside, and were greeted by wives of armed forces personnel.
Adenike Keennam, whose husband is in the airforce, said: “I told her ‘welcome home.’ She gave me a big smile.”
She added: “I think it’s significant they’re here in many ways. With people like them who you see on TV or in papers, to see them in person goes a long way. They are people of peace.”
Prince Harry and Meghan are on a three-day visit to Nigeria to promote the Invictus Games and explore the culture of the country.
The Duke of Sussex served two tours of Afghanistan, and launched the Invictus Games ten years ago in collaboration with the Royal Foundation to support wounded veterans in their recovery through sport.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, revealed in her ‘Archetypes’ podcast that her mixed-race heritage included 43 per cent Nigerian.
She is due to co-host an event of Women in Leadership with the director-general of the World Trade Organisation.
On Wednesday, The Duke of Sussex was in London to attend the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games service at St Paul’s Cathedral, but their was no time in King Charles’ diary to see his son.
Before joining Meghan at Heathrow airport and flying to Nigeria, Harry made a surprise visit to spend time with bereaved children who’s parents had died in the line of duty.
Prince Harry, a global ambassador for Scotty’s Little Soldiers, chatted and played games with children supported by the charity.
The King, who last visited Nigeria when he was The Prince of Wales, has not yet visited the country as Head of the Commonwealth.
His youngest son, Prince Harry, is not representing him in an official capacity and has not seen the King in person for a number of months.
His Majesty continues to receive treatment for cancer, but has carried out more public engagements over the last couple of weeks.
