A ROYAL expert has criticized Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s trip to Nigeria for being an “old-fashioned royal trip”, despite them stepping down as senior royals in 2020.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex touched down in Africa for their three-day visit on Friday and have so far danced with schoolchildren and met with locals and dignitaries.
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Although the trip is technically a “private” visit, Newsweek’s chief royal correspondent, Jack Royston, says he is treating it like a royal trip.
Speaking to The Sun’s Royal Exclusive program, he said: “It’s not a private trip.
“I mean, it’s so funny because even that announcement was made at a press conference with ‘welcome the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’ in the background and a big board.
“It’s a little confusing in terms of how they presented it.
“But essentially no, it’s not a private trip, it’s very much like an old-school real trip, except for the fact that obviously they didn’t invite, in general, the media at large.”
This is Harry and Meghan’s first trip to Nigeria as a couple, although they did go on a royal tour to southern Africa in 2019 when they were working royals.
They stepped down from royal duties and moved across the pond in 2020 – with their departure dubbed ‘Megxit’.
During this visit to Nigeria, Meghan and Harry are expected to visit three cities in their efforts to have the country host the Invictus Games in 2029.
The royal expert told The Sun’s royal editor Matt Wilkinson that Meghan and Harry will take part in activities we’ve seen them do as royals.
Jack added: “I think they will possibly take part in some wheelchair basketball.
“They will watch some training from soldiers who, at least presumably, could be in the Nigeria Invictus team, if they are not already.
“They’ve already been to school, so it’s basically that real old-school playbook.
“They look great, it’s fantastic to see.
“I don’t know why they don’t do this more in America, and there’s nothing stopping them from doing this kind of event in America, and I think it would probably help a lot if they did.”
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Harry and Meghan, who is of Nigerian descent, will meet military personnel and their families and take part in traditional cultural activities, according to local media.
Jack added that there is pressure for the trip to Nigeria to go well for Meghan and Harry.
But essentially no, it’s not a private trip, it’s very much like an old school real trip, except for the fact that obviously they didn’t invite, by and large, the media at large.
Jack Royston
He explained: “There is always the danger that everything will go wrong and if they make a wrong move they will obviously be attacked.
“But I think it’s important not to make decisions out of fear.
“You just want to make the right decision, but they should start being positive.
“I think that’s what Harry and Meghan need to do, start to have a positive mindset, leave behind the family-bashing era where they’re just being positive, like go out there, do good things.”
Inside Sussex’s trip to Nigeria
The Duke and Duchess will spend three days in Nigeria to promote the Invictus Games.
The Sussexes will be taken to a hotel when they land for the first time today, then visit the Light Academy, a school in nearby Wuse, before meeting defense leaders and visiting injured soldiers.
Tomorrow Harry will be on the field with a team during a sitting volleyball match played by Nigeria’s Invictus team, before he and Meghan meet more soldiers and their families.
That afternoon, Meghan will host a Women in Leadership event with Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a Nigerian-American economist who is director general of the World Trade Organization.
Then, on Sunday, the Sussexes will attend a basketball clinic that promotes young people’s entry into the sport, enjoy a cultural reception and visit a fundraising hub.
This follows Harry criticizing his family in his bombshell Spare memoir and criticizing the royals in his book Harry and Meghan documentary.
Prince Harry went on a three-day trip to the UK earlier this week, arriving on Tuesday and leaving on Thursday evening, but did not see his family during the visit.
A spokesperson for Harry explained: “Unfortunately this will not be possible due to Her Majesty’s full programme.
“The Duke, of course, understands his father’s schedule and various other priorities and looks forward to seeing him soon.”
Harry and Charles last met at Clarence House in February for their first face-to-face meeting in 16 months.
Charles, 75, resumed public duties last week for the first time since beginning cancer treatment.
He is now expected to attend Buckingham Palace’s first garden party of the year.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
