On the heels of Prince Harry’s return to the U.K. for the Invictus Games’ 10-year anniversary celebration on May 8, he and Meghan Markle will jet off to Nigeria, where they are set to meet with military personnel and participate in a number of activities associated with the Invictus Games, Tatler reports. The Games—an international multi-sport event for wounded, sick, and injured servicemen and servicewomen, both veterans and those still serving—were founded by Harry in 2014.
Nigeria’s defense ministry spoke out about its “honor and delight” at hosting the Duke and Duchess of Sussex; Brigadier General Tukur Gusau released a statement yesterday “confirming that the visit would strengthen Nigeria’s connection to the Games and potentially pave the way for hosting future editions,” Tatler writes.
In 2022, Meghan revealed on her podcast “Archetypes” that she was 43 percent Nigerian, according to a genealogy test she had taken. “The visit, therefore, serves a double purpose: both helping to continue the couple’s work around the Invictus Games and offering Meghan an opportunity to explore her heritage,” Tatler reports. At last year’s games in Dusseldorf, Germany, Nigeria—along with Colombia and Israel—was one of the newest countries to participate. Harry acknowledged this during the Games’ opening ceremony last September, telling the crowd assembled “Now, I’m not saying we play favorites in our home, but since my wife discovered she is of Nigerian descent, it’s likely to get a little bit more competitive this year,” he said.
At the Games, Harry and Meghan posed for a photo with Team Nigeria and their national flag, and the team presented them with a plaque from the Chief of Defense—and gave Meghan a new nickname, People reports. Meghan received the name “Amira Ngozi Lolo”; Amira, People writes, “is the name of a warrior princess from a legend, while Ngozi means ‘blessed’ and Lolo means ‘royal wife.’”
The next Invictus Games will take place in 2025 in Canada—Vancouver and Whistler, specifically—and in February, Harry and Meghan traveled to Canada for the Games’ One Year to Go celebrations. At the winter kickoff, returning Team Nigeria athlete Peacemaker Azuegbulam spoke about what it meant to have Meghan’s support, per People: “It makes me feel good,” Azuegbulam said. “It makes me feel loved that she really cares about Team Nigeria. We are happy for the love being shown by them and appreciate the efforts to bring the Invictus Games to Nigeria.”
Before going to Nigeria, Harry will be in London, where the May 8 Service of Thanksgiving will be held at St. Paul’s Cathedral. For the occasion, Harry is expected to give a reading; Meghan is not expected to join Harry in the U.K., but will meet him in Nigeria shortly after.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
Rachel Burchfield is a writer, editor, and podcaster whose primary interests are fashion and beauty, society and culture, and, most especially, the British Royal Family and other royal families around the world. She serves as Marie Claire’s Senior Celebrity and Royals Editor and has also contributed to publications like Allure, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, People, Vanity Fair, Vogue, and W, among others. Before taking on her current role with Marie Claire, Rachel served as its Weekend Editor and later Royals Editor. She is the cohost of Podcast Royal, a show that was named a top five royal podcast by The New York Times. A voracious reader and lover of books, Rachel also hosts I’d Rather Be Reading, which spotlights the best current nonfiction books hitting the market and interviews the authors of them. Rachel frequently appears as a media commentator, and she or her work has appeared on outlets like NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, CNN, and more.
-
This Cannes Gown Took Almost Two Months to Sculpt
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's look included flowers made from metal.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
Here’s What We Know About Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s Rumored Marital Strife
Less than three months after ‘The Greatest Love Story Never Told,’ how did we get here?
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
More Episodes of ‘Bridgerton’ Season 3 Are Coming Soon—Following That Massive Cliffhanger
Here's what to know about 'Bridgerton' season 3 part 2.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Nigeria Trip Seems to Be the First of Many Royal Tour-Esque Visits the Couple Want to Undertake
“Being able to be on the ground, to us, is what it’s all about,” Harry said.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Meghan Markle Calms Prince Harry Down and Helps Him with Anxiety at Public Engagements, Royal Commenter Says
The couple will celebrate their sixth wedding anniversary this weekend after a whirlwind three-day visit to Nigeria.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Almost 5 Years On From Heartbreaking "Not Really OK" Interview in Africa, Meghan Markle Says "We're Really Happy" During Nigeria Tour
A poignant update.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Brought a Personal Photographer with Them to Visit Nigeria Over the Weekend
It’s a name that you’ll no doubt recognize, at that.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Archewell Foundation Has Been Declared "Delinquent"
It seems it was a simple oversight, expected to be fixed promptly.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Meghan Markle Gets Candid About Her Journey, Telling an Audience That Her Life “Certainly Had a Plot Twist”
She then opened up about her best work/life balance advice—and it might surprise you.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince Harry Would “Love to Reconnect” with Princess Kate—But Royal Biographer Says Prince William Won’t Have It
“Harry was hit hard by the news of her cancer diagnosis,” according to Christopher Andersen.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Meghan Markle Had No Stylist and No Glam Squad on Hand for Recent Tour of Nigeria, Her Longtime Makeup Artist Daniel Martin Says
“She’s doing everything herself, and she’s so good at it.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published