Meghan Markle has said she “looks forward” to returning “home” to Nigeria with her husband and her children Archie and Lilibet.
The Duchess wrote a letter to the Imperial Majesty thanking him for his country’s hospitality during her recent trip to the African country, where she was grateful for the “opportunity to understand my heritage”.
Prince Harry and Meghan travelled to Nigeria last month for a three-day tour largely to continue their work around the duke’s Invictus Games.
In 2022, the former actress discovered through a DNA test that she is 43 percent Nigerian, calling the African nation “my country”.
In a letter obtained by the Western Post, Meghan wrote to the Oluwu of Iso, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi: “Your Imperial Majesty, Thank you for your warm welcome to Nigeria... Our visit to Nigeria was important for many reasons, but not least because it gave us an opportunity to explore and understand my heritage, which extends to our children. We look forward to coming back home one day.”
During the visit, the Duchess of Sussex was also given the traditional Yoruba name of Adetokunbo, a blessing that left her “deeply humbled”.
She added in the letter: “I am deeply humbled by your blessing of the traditional Yoruba name, Adetokunbo. I treasure the name and appreciate your trust in me to carry it with grace and dignity.”
Meghan and Harry were invited by Nigeria’s highest-ranking military official, Christopher Musa.
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After meeting him at the Nigerian Defence Headquarters, the duchess signed a guest book thanking officials for “welcoming me home”.
Previously, Meghan admitted that her trip to Nigeria will always occupy a special place in her heart. She told People Magazine: “It was such warm hospitality and it was a really meaningful trip. It was incredibly memorable and special. That alone is the best souvenir to take with us - all the memories we've made.”
The couple travelled without their two children, five-year-old Prince Archie and two-year-old Princess Lilibet.
After their three-day trip, Harry hinted that he and his family will carry out more overseas trips.
He said to the American outlet: “It is hugely important for us to meet directly with people, supporting our causes and listening, in order to bring about solutions, support and positive change."
“There’s only so much one can do from home and over Zoom, so we look forward to travelling more because the work matters.
“Whether it's the Archewell Foundation, Invictus or any of our other causes, there will always be reasons to meet the people at the heart of our work.”
The couple travelled to the African country back in May to promote both the Archewell Foundation, and the Invictus Games, which Nigeria joined for the first time last year.
The duke continued: “I’m so happy with the growth of Invictus and to include Nigeria.
“You know what Africa means to me over the years. It is a very, very special place, and to be able to include Nigeria now [in Invictus], I’m very happy.”