Written by Nick Pisa in Abuja
Updated May 11, 2024 12:50, May 11, 2024 13:49
Meghan's frenzy continued in Nigeria, where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended a sitting volleyball game and were mobbed by fans.
The visit was a royal tour in name only, but as part of Prince Harry's Invictus Games project, he delighted onlookers by taking part in the games.
Unfortunately, his Nigeria Unconquered team lost 21-25 to the Pentagon General Staff team, as all of their players were wounded military personnel.
But it was Meghan who really caused the mayhem, trying to beat the 35-degree heat and humidity by wearing a £2,275 Joanna Ortiz Tropicana Night dress embroidered with a black and white palm leaf pattern. I showed up wearing it.
Saturday's outdoor volleyball match at Officer's Mess was the pair's first official match, and once again they were the center of attention.
Meghan happily posed for selfies and even blended in with the crowd at one point, while some shed tears after meeting her.
The Sussex Squad, made up of Harry and Meghan's fans, turned out in droves to support the duchess, who arrived just before noon.
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Six-year-old Ogier, aptly named Royalty, was chosen to present the rose stem to Meghan, who plucked one from the bouquet and handed it to the awestruck girl. .
When they arrived, they were greeted with cheers from a group of fans holding signs that read “43% Nigerian,'' a nod to Meghan's recent admission that she is of West African descent.
Some people jokingly said, “Harry, you owe me a dowry,'' explained London-based Michaela Lituk. ” This is a traditional dowry and Meghan is Nigerian so she owes us.
“When she announced her heritage, I already knew that by looking at the faces of her mother and grandmother, she was definitely Eastern Nigerian.
“The look on her face said it all and the whole country melted when she said it. She is our daughter, our daughter, and we couldn't be happier.” there is no.”
“We've loved Meghan ever since we saw her in a suit and we're so happy she's coming to visit us.”
Taking to the pitch to join Invictus game board member David Wisey, Harry removed the green and white Nigerian scarf he had been given before enthusiastically joining in.
He sat on the ground and joined the Nigeria Unconquered team, huddled together for a motivational high-five before being stranded.
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Many of the athletes, both male and female, have amputees, and Meghan appeared to be clapping and cheering along with Prince Harry and his team.
However, it was the Nigerian Defense Secretary's staff team who won the match, and when Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan met the players at the end, there were smiles and hugs throughout.
Similar to Friday's defense headquarters meeting, there were chaotic scenes as Meghan was engulfed by excited fans in a pop star-style scene.
Prince Harry, who appeared concerned at times, kept a constant eye on his wife as the Japanese and U.S. security teams tried to maintain control.
After the match, the couple was ushered into a side room where they changed and had lunch with Nigeria's Chief of Defense Staff Christopher Musa.
Wearing a full-length white shoulderless St Agni dress, Meghan took the breath of onlookers as she walked into a crowd of police officers for the reception.
Prince Harry wore a cream linen suit and joked to one of his guests in a black tuxedo, “You look great in that jacket.” i want it '
After taking their seats, the couple headed to a stage decorated with red, white and blue balloons, where the British and Nigerian national anthems were played.
A source close to the couple told MailOnline: “They are very happy in Nigeria and are having a great time.” Everyone has been very welcoming and I can really feel the warmth of the people.
“It’s been a great journey for them and I couldn’t be happier.”
On Sunday, the couple will travel to Lagos, where they will watch a basketball game and take part in a fundraiser at the city's polo fields, before returning to the UK on Monday before heading to California.
The scene comes a day after Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan delighted schoolchildren with a visit to Ouse Rightway Academy, as the couple enjoyed the second day of a 72-hour trip to the African country. was caused.
Prince Harry spoke to a group of students at the school (supported by the couple's Archewell Foundation) about mental health, explaining that when “you lose a loved one in your family and you don't know who to turn to or who to turn to”. mentioned. Speak to'.
The Duke, who was 12 and his brother William 15 when Princess Diana died in Paris in 1997, added: “I was able to admit it was a bad day and I wasn't ashamed.”
He also told his children: “You can have it, she can have it, I can have it.” they can get it. Each of us can contract this disease at any time. ”
The couple flew in together just before 5am on Thursday after a secret reunion in the VIP Windsor Suite at London Heathrow Airport, following Kate's arrival from Los Angeles.
They then boarded an overnight British Airways flight to Abuja, which was slightly delayed when the scheduled pilot became unwell and a replacement had to be scrambled.
On their first trip to Nigeria together, the Sussexes sat in first class on a Boeing 777, separated from other passengers by a curtain.
It comes after Prince Harry said it was “fantastic” to be returning to the UK this week to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. The duke had been in London since Tuesday to attend Thanksgiving and other competition-related events.