Internet slams Meghan Markle's African origin claim as 'PR' stunt after she's warmly welcomed in Nigeria

ABUJA, NIGERIA: Meghan Markle received a heart-warming welcome while exploring her African roots during the trip to Nigeria with her husband, Prince Harry.

On Saturday, May 11, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were invited to visit the country by its highest-ranking military official, the Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa.

The royal duo attended a reception for military families and the widow association at the Defense Headquarters Officers Mess in Abuja.

Chairman of the Nigerian Diaspora Commission acknowledged Meghan Markle's African ties

Abike Dabiri Erewa, chairman of the Nigerian Diaspora Commission, welcomed Meghan, 42, to Nigeria during one of the many speeches at the event. She acknowledged her ties to the country, which she revealed in 2022 after discovering she is 43 percent Nigerian from a genealogy test. 

“Princess Meghan is a Nigerian!" said Erewa, drawing a round of applause from the crowd, alongside a smile and applause from Meghan herself, reported People.

The chairman went on to say that she was “excited but not surprised” when Meghan revealed her Nigerian heritage on her podcast in 2022, “because she is beautiful, intelligent, diligent and hardworking and she stands firm in the midst of challenges.”

“Prince Harry, you married the best — our daughter, our friend, Princess Meghan,” she said. “I hope you come back again, again and again.” Erewa didn’t leave Harry, 39, hanging, adding, “Princess Meghan, you married the best man."

After handing the Duke and Duchess of Sussex gifts, which were his and hers traditional Aso-Oke outfits, Erewa also spoke about their visit. “They are an amazing couple,” she said. “They’re humble, down-to-earth, and they look so good together. The love is there; you feel it.”

Meghan Markle's speech during a school visit in Nigeria

The day before the Abuja reception, Meghan and Harry attended another event in the Nigerian capital, an inaugural mental health summit arranged by the GEANCO Foundation at the Lightway Academy. During the school visit, the Duchess of Sussex gave a speech to students.

"You know, every single one of you has a story. We all have our story. And there's no shame in any single one of your stories,” she said. “Even on the hardest days or darkest days, everything is a pillar of your strength by each of you being there. Your teachers see that in you. And we see that in you.”

Meghan went on to mention her and Harry's daughter Princess Lilibet, saying, “Interestingly, so does our daughter, Lili; she's much tinier than you guys, about to turn three.”

“A few weeks ago, she looked at me and saw her reflection in my eyes. She said, 'Mama, I see me in you.' Now, she was talking literally, but I held onto those words in a different way,” the Duchess of Sussex continued. “I thought, ‘Yes, I do see me in you, and you see me in you.’ But as I look around this room, I see myself in all of you as well.”

Prince Archie also had kind words for Nigeria

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex also had kind words in store for Nigeria in written form, as they each penned messages in a visitor’s book at the Defence Headquarters in the heart of Abuja. In his message, the prince said, “Thank you for welcoming us to your beautiful country, together we will heal our troops.”

Referring to the links the couple has forged with the country through the Invictus Games and the rehabilitation through sport for the injured and wounded, Meghan wrote, “With gratitude for the support of the Invictus community.” “And for welcoming me home,” she added.

Internet is unsure about Meghan Markle's African roots

Netizens reacted after the Duchess of Sussex got a warm reception in the Nigerian community. One X user wrote, "It will be 51 % aboriginal next,, pr lining up the next un’official’ visit destination!"

Another added, "Like Chris Rock said, she hit the light skin lottery." One opined, "True but not 43% Nigerian."

"Just another way of her making herself feel important. If she was 43% Nigerian, her skin would be darker. It is not a racist comment, but Nigerians have very dark skin," tweeted one, and another wrote, "She said she was Maltese to con the Maltese into a free holiday last time."

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