SUSSEXES' AFRICAN ADVENTURE

Meghan and Harry took Nigeria by storm – but relations with the royal family remain icy

- NICIDE WET

IT GAVE throwback vibes to their tour of South Africa in October and November 2019. Harry and Meghan smiling and dancing with the people, accepting gifts, making speeches, basking in the adoration of the crowds . . . A true royal tour, in other words, except of course, it wasn’t.

The Sussexes’ three-day visit to Nigeria had no royal protection, no palace-organised itinerary, no requirements of doing it for the good of The Firm. Instead they embarked on a journey of philanthropy and goodwill aimed at championing causes close to their heart as well as the African nation.

Their trip saw them visiting charities their Archewell Foundation supports, focusing on mental health and promoting the prince’s Invictus Games, which Nigeria hopes to host in the future.

It also had many feel-good moments: Harry playing sit-down basketball with disabled veterans, Meghan hugging children, and crowds so delirious with excitement some burst into tears.

The couple flew into the capital city Abuja from London where Harry (39) had spent a few days leading the 10th anniversary celebrations of the Invictus Games.

A rock star welcome awaited them with members of the Sussex Squad, a group of ardent Harry and Meghan fans, clamouring to take selfies and jostling for a glimpse of the pair. The Sussexes’ visit came at the request of Nigeria’s chief of defence, General Christopher Musa, who rolled out the red carpet and treated them to around-the-clock security and five-star accommodation.

For Meghan, however, the trip also had a very personal meaning. Two years ago she revealed a genealogy test had shown she was 43% Nigerian and ever since she’d wanted to “dig deeper” into her roots. And by all accounts the trip offered her just that as she embraced her African heritage with open arms – and was embraced in return.