The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have commenced a three-day visit to Nigeria, marking their inaugural trip to the country as a couple.
Their arrival follows Prince Harry’s recent brief visit to London, during which he expressed his pleasure at being back in the UK in an interview with the BBC.
Invited by Nigeria’s chief of defence staff, General Christopher Musa, Prince Harry and Meghan will meet with injured service personnel during their visit.
This trip is part of a series of events associated with the Invictus Games, a sporting event for injured service men and women founded by Prince Harry, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.
Upon landing in Abuja on Friday morning, the couple embarked on a tour of Lightway Academy, a primary and secondary school in the capital city.
They were warmly welcomed by traditional dancers and engaged with primary schoolchildren, with one group of year five pupils expressing their excitement at the royal visit and hoping it will elevate the profile of their school.
Subsequently, Prince Harry and Meghan launched a two-day mental health summit, after which the prince proceeded to a military rehabilitation center in Kaduna.
Their itinerary also includes a visit to Lagos, where they will attend a training session for Nigeria: Unconquered, a charity collaborating with the Invictus Games, along with cultural receptions and a polo fundraiser for the charity.
Additionally, Meghan is scheduled to co-host an event on Women in Leadership with Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the director-general of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The Duke’s visit to Nigeria follows his attendance at the 10th anniversary celebration of the Invictus Games, held at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London on Wednesday.
Greeted by a crowd gathered outside St. Paul’s in the sunshine, Prince Harry smiled and waved as he arrived for the service. Among the attendees was his uncle Earl Spencer, Princess Diana’s brother.
Meanwhile, the King, who is currently undergoing cancer treatment, engaged with members of the public at a Buckingham Palace garden party located just over two miles away. Despite their proximity, the Duke and the King did not meet during the events, as the Duke’s spokesperson cited the King’s “full programme” as the reason for the absence of a meeting.