Amira Ngozi Lolo

Harry & Meghan: Nigeria trip for a special reason

Harry and Meghan will travel to Nigeria after Harry's visit to the UK.

(Bild: APA/AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)

Prince Harry (39) is returning to the UK for the first time in months in May for a visit. Meghan (42) will probably not be accompanying him, but the Sussexes will travel to Nigeria together a short time later for a special reason ...

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are traveling to Nigeria. The Prince and Duchess of Sussex have accepted an invitation to visit the country in May on behalf of the Chief of Defense Staff, according to People.

Harry will travel to the UK next week to attend numerous Invictus Games Foundation events to mark the 10th anniversary of the Games, including a service at St. Paul's Cathedral in London on May 8. Shortly afterwards, he will meet his wife Meghan in Nigeria.

Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan are planning a visit to Nigeria.

(Bild: Associated Press)

Nigeria could host Invictus Games
The focus of the visit will be Harry's Invictus Games, in which 500 athletes from 21 nations, including Nigeria, took part in Germany last year. Nigeria, along with Colombia and Israel, were new to the Invictus Games in 2023.

According to People, Defense Minister Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar Badaru, who attended last year's event in Germany, has expressed his willingness to host the games if Nigeria is given the opportunity.

Last year, Meghan discovered her Nigerian ancestry and has arguably been a Nigeria fan ever since.

(Bild: Associated Press)

In a statement, Brigadier General Tukur Vusau, Acting Director of Defense Information in Nigeria, said: "The visit is to consolidate Nigeria's strong position at the Games and to explore the possibility of hosting the event in future years."

Duchess Meghan is a Nigeria fan
During the Invictus Games in Düsseldorf in 2023, Meghan and Harry spent time with the Nigerian team, which Harry described as his wife's favorite during his opening speech. "I'm not saying we privately favor anyone, but since my wife discovered she's of Nigerian descent, there will probably be a bit more competition this year," he joked at the time.

Nigerian nickname for Meghan
In 2022, the US-born actress revealed in her podcast "Archetypes" that she had learned through a genealogy test that she was 43 percent Nigerian. Harry and Meghan posed for a photo with Team Nigeria and the national flag in 2023, and the team presented them with a plaque from the Minister of Defense - and a new nickname for Meghan.

The Duchess of Sussex was given the name "Amira Ngozi Lolo" at the 2023 Invictus Games, which has a royal meaning. Amira is the name of a warrior princess from a legend, while Ngozi means 'blessed' and Lolo means 'royal wife'. During their current visit, the US-based couple will meet members of the armed forces and take part in a number of cultural activities.