Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are facing accusations of orchestrating their own separate royal showcase as they gear up for their inaugural non-official royal expedition to Nigeria.
Renowned royal analysts have raised concerns, suggesting that the couple is attempting to have it both ways.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are scheduled to journey to the African nation in May following an invitation from its chief of defence staff to engage in cultural events and interact with service personnel during an informal excursion.
Contrary to popular belief, this visit does not hold any official royal status.
It is essentially a courtesy call from a royal family member without any formal designation.
A commentator critiqued the couple for leveraging their royal connections as a source of income, while another pointed out the irony of their willingness to visit Commonwealth nations without assuming the role of official royal ambassadors.
Brigadier General Tuku Gossow expressed his delight and gratitude for the couple’s acceptance of the invitation, having met Prince Harry during last year’s Invictus Games.
The upcoming trip to Nigeria is scheduled just after Prince Harry’s return to the UK to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games at St Paul’s Cathedral.
Notably, no senior royal figures are anticipated to be present at the event.
Subsequently, Prince Harry will proceed to the Commonwealth nation to reunite with his wife, who is reportedly not accompanying him on his UK visit, marking his initial journey post-Kate’s unexpected health diagnosis.
In light of the announcement, experts within royal circles swiftly highlighted that the impending visit by the couple would carry implications akin to a royal tour in all but name.
There are concerns that this could potentially lead to confusion and strain diplomatic ties, particularly if Prince Harry and Meghan continue to utilize their HRH titles, giving the impression of an official royal visit.
Criticism was directed towards Prince Charles for his perceived inaction in curbing the couple’s misuse of their titles and staging of pseudo-royal tours.
A spokesperson for Meghan and Harry conveyed to the Daily Times Nigeria that the Defence Headquarters had expressed their enthusiasm for the visit of Their Royal Highnesses Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, in May 2024.
It was emphasized that the couple can no longer employ the HRH prefix and must be addressed solely as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
The issue of their titles and the manner in which they are wielded continues to be a matter awaiting resolution by Prince Charles.
Moreover, there are concerns that the couple may react negatively to the misinformation in the press release referring to them as the Duke and Duchess.
The impending Nigerian excursion is anticipated to be a spectacle of chaos, lacking the organizational support typically provided by palace staff.
This could potentially result in instances where Meghan’s actions may come across as cringe-worthy or disrespectful towards Nigerian dignitaries, including inappropriate attire choices or prioritizing personal interests over diplomatic protocol.
Notably, Nigeria’s independence from colonial rule affords them the liberty to extend invitations as they see fit, irrespective of the Duchess’s purported ties to Nigerian law.
The situation encapsulates a sense of irony, as it mirrors the very circumstances the country sought to escape – the burden of hosting foreign dignitaries without receiving due compensation.