The British High Commission in Nigeria has chosen to remain silent on the recent visit of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, a departure from the usual protocol of acknowledging top dignitaries from the United Kingdom.
The couple’s arrival in Nigeria was met with warmth and enthusiasm as they engaged in various activities across the country.
Despite this, the social media channels of the British High Commission did not mention their presence, leading to speculation about the reasons behind this unusual silence.
Upon arriving in Nigeria, Prince Harry and Meghan were welcomed by military officials in the capital city.
Their itinerary included a visit to the defence headquarters in Abuja and a trip to Kaduna State, where they met with Governor Yubasani.
During their meeting, Governor Sani presented Prince Harry with a traditional attire as a gesture of goodwill.
However, the British High Commission opted not to publicize any details of their engagements on social media, leaving many curious about the Commission’s decision to overlook the royal couple’s visit.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, shed light on the situation.
He clarified that Prince Harry and Meghan’s visit was personal rather than official, indicating that the British High Commission was not involved in arranging or overseeing their activities in the country.
This distinction explains the Commission’s lack of involvement in promoting the couple’s visit on its official platforms.
During their time in Kaduna, Prince Harry highlighted the significance of sports in the recovery process of wounded soldiers in Nigeria.
He emphasized the importance of engaging with injured servicemen and women who had served in the Nigerian Armed Forces, underscoring the role of sports in boosting morale and aiding rehabilitation efforts for those who had sacrificed for their country.
Prince Harry praised Nigeria for becoming the first African nation to participate in the Invictus Games, an initiative he founded over ten years ago.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s trip to Nigeria follows their decision to step back from senior roles within the royal family earlier in 2020.
Frustrated by media intrusion and constraints on developing their Sussex Royal brand, the couple sought independence from traditional royal obligations.
While they retained their titles as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, they relinquished the use of His or Her Royal Highness (HRH) and Prince Harry gave up his military titles.
Amidst their visit to Nigeria, Prince Harry’s absence from a flight intended to visit Queen Elizabeth II before her passing drew attention.
Reports suggested that the prince insisted on bringing Meghan Markle to Balmoral, where the queen was ill, causing a rift that resulted in him missing the flight.
As other family members, including Prince William and Prince Andrew, were closer to the queen during her final moments, Prince Harry’s absence raised questions about the dynamics within the royal family.
The silence maintained by the British High Commission in Nigeria regarding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s visit continues to intrigue observers.
Despite the private nature of the couple’s trip, the significance of their engagements in Nigeria and their global profile make the omission of any official recognition perplexing.
While the Commission refrained from acknowledging their visit, Prince Harry and Meghan actively participated in community activities and highlighted important issues such as the rehabilitation of wounded soldiers.
As Prince Harry and Meghan Markle chart their own course outside the traditional confines of royal duties, their actions and the responses they elicit are sure to remain subjects of curiosity and conjecture.