Meghan Markle has been issued a warning about her trip to Nigeria with Prince Harry as one royal expert believes she could come across as “patronising”.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are visiting the African country on a 72-hour whistle stop tour. They landed in Abuja on Friday morning following a short flight delay. During the trip, Harry and Meghan will visit the country’s military headquarters and promote the Invictus Games.
Royal author Tom Quinn has warned Meghan is at risk of being “criticised” if she makes the visit “an ego trip”. Speaking to The Mirror, he explained: “Like many very wealthy people she doesn’t see anything patronising about the idea of a princess visiting the poor.
“What she won’t like is criticism that the tour of Nigeria is really all about her.” Tom added: “The last time she and Harry visited the African continent, Meghan was criticised for seeming to make the visit an ego trip – and there is a real danger that it will happen again this time.
“The quiet dignity of a real royal tour brings publicity to often forgotten parts of the world and forgotten conflicts and there is no danger that grubby commercial considerations will obscure the picture.”
He also suggested there will be a lot of focus on their latest business ventures during the trip. Tom told us: “With Meghan and Harry there will be as much focus on their various businesses – including making jams and jellies – as there will be on their philanthropic efforts.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry
They’ll take part in events to promote the Invictus Games ( Image: AFP/Getty Images)
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“That said, Meghan is in many ways quite thick skinned and as long as she and Harry get lots of publicity, of whatever kind, she will see it as a good thing in terms of their new Internet brand and their other commercial projects.”
Nigerian officials said Harry and Meghan’s trip will last until Monday. While in Nigeria, the pair will watch a volleyball game, and visit military hospitals and charities in Abuja and Lagos. The Defence HQ revealed their itinerary in a press conference on Thursday, May 9, saying they are also scheduled to meet injured armed forces personnel and their families.
Harry and Meghan will also visit the Wuse Light Academy before seeing Nigeria’s security chief. The Sussexes will also travel to Kaduna state to go to the Nigerian Army Reference Hospital to visit with recovering wounded and injured soldiers.