All the Best Photos from Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Nigeria Trip! (2024)

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Step Out in Nigeria with a Message for Kids: 'There Is No Need to Suffer in Silence'

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Land in Nigeria

Harry and Meghan were presented with beaded wooden necklaces upon their arrival at the Lightway Academy in Abuja.

Meghan Markle Waves at Students

The couple were met with a banner that read "We Are Honored To Have You!" at the school where they chatted with the faculty and students.

Meghan and Harry Hold Hands

Meghan and Harry both delivered speeches at the inaugural Mental Health Summit at the Lightway Academy where they spoke about the importance of mental healthcare.

"There is no shame to be able to acknowledge that today is a bad day, okay?" the Duke of Sussex said during his speech. "That you woke up this morning feeling sad, that you were at school, feeling stressed, that you've lost a loved one in your family and you don't know who to turn to or who to speak to. All of these things you may even be led to believe are not for conversation."

He added that he and Meghan were"here today to tell you that that is not the case."

Meghan and Harry Watch Performers at Lightway Academy

Prior to giving their speeches, the Duke and duch*ess of Sussex were treated to performances by local singers and dancers. When one performer did a backflip in front of Meghan, she said, "Bravo!"

Prince Harry Waves at Visitors

In 2023, the couple'sArchewell Foundation announced a donation of school supplies and menstrual products to students in Nigeria in partnership with GEANCO. During their visit to Lightway Academy, they shared they're partnering with the nonprofit once again, this time to provide mental health resources for young people.

Meghan and Harry Visited with Students at the School

During their visit with the younger students, Harry and Meghan took part in classroom games, including “jump up, turn around."

Meghan and Harry Applaud Performers in Nigeria

In addition watching the performances, the couple met with school founder Oprah Adi, 75, and her daughter Joyce Agbese, who is the director of the 200-student school.

Meghan Shared Comments About Mental Health

Meghan also spoke during the mental health assembly and shared her own comments to the student. "We are honored to have our first visit to Nigeria be here with all of you. We believe in you, we believe in your teachers and we believe in your ability to continue to tell your stories and to just be honest with each other. There is no need to suffer in silence," she said.

Meghan and Harry Watch Local Nigerian Performers

After discovering her Nigerian heritage on her Archetypes podcast, Meghan told comedian and guest Ziwa, "I'm going to start to dig deeper into all this because anybody that I've told, especially Nigerian women, are like 'What!' "

"This is huge for our community," Ziwe, 32, said. "No, honestly, you do look like a Nigerian, you look like my Aunt Uzo. So this is great."

Meghan Wears Beads in Nigeria

"Mental health is a very important issue, and it’s not talked about enough in Nigeria. So, when people who are real experts in that regard come here and talk about it—sometimes messages coming from strangers sink in better with children than those they hear about every day," Joyce Agbese, director of Lightway Academy, told PEOPLE.

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Meghan and Harry Laugh Together in Nigeria

Meghan told students in a STEM class that her son Prince Archie, 5,loves construction as well.

Harry and Meghan Chat with Older Students at the School

During the visit, Meghan shared an emotional story about Princess Lilibet.

“Our daughter, Lili, she's much, much tinier than you guys. She's about to turn 3. And a few weeks ago she looked at me and she would just see the reflection in my eyes. And she [goes], ‘Mama, I see me in you,’ ” Meghan recalled to a class full of children.

She added that she sees herself “in all of you as well."

Meghan Takes a Selfie with Students

Meghan graciously took selfies with some of the students at Lightway Academy.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Lightway Academy

While visiting with some of the school's younger students, Meghan and Harry met the oldest boy in the class, who is 5. Meghan told him “our son Archie’s 5.He turned five last week.“

Meghan at Lightway Academy in Nigeria

The trip to Lightway Academy was one of the couple's first stops upon their arrival in Nigeria. They have a busy itinerary planned for their tour.

Prince Harry Meets with Students and Faculty

For Harry, the visit to Nigeria is also about celebrating 10 years of the Invictus Games. The Nigerian Minister of Defense, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar Badaru, previously expressed interest in hosting the games one day.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Share a Smile

Since discovering her Nigerian ancestry, Meghan has been supporting the country's team at the Invictus Games. The last time the event was held, members of the team gave her a nickname that means "royal wife."

Prince Harry Shakes Hands with a Young Student

While visiting a kindergarten class, a 2-year-old girl greeted Meghan with a handshake, but she became bashful around Harry. "We all get shy sometimes," Meghan told her.

Prince Harry and Meghan Are All Smiles in Nigeria

After taking part in the classroom games, Harry and Meghan engaged with the kids. "That was great,” Meghan said as the games wrapped up. “Do you love your teacher?”

Harry added, “Is singing and dancing your favorite class?”

Meghan Markle in Nigeria

On Saturday, Meghan will serve as co-host for a Women in Leadership event with Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General of the World Trade Organization.

Harry and Meghan Sit with Students

The couple revealed to the younger students that Archie is a big fan of "construction."

Prince Harry Shakes Hands with Students

After meeting with students, Harry is set to visit injured servicemembers at a local military hospital later in the day.

Harry and Meghan Visit with a Class

Students showed Harry and Meghan a robot they created in their STEM class, which prompted Meghan to say, "We will have to come back for the exhibition.”

Harry Holds Meghan's Hand

The couple looked cozy as they held hands during their first outing of the trip.

Saying it with Style

The couple made a quick outfit change, swapping their looks from earlier in the day on May 10 for outfits that mirror the colors of the Nigerian flag: white and green. Meghan wore a white pantsuit from Altuzarra, while Harry sported a teal green suit.

Harry's Emotional Exchange

On May 10, the Duke of Sussex, 39, paid a solo visit to the Nigerian Army Reference Hospital Kaduna to meet with injured soldiers.

"Are they helping you? Are you feeling better?" Prince Harry asked at the bedside of Private Habu Sadiq in a video captured by PEOPLE's chief foreign correspondent Simon Perry, who is exclusively covering the Duke and duch*ess's outings in Nigeria."Get better, be strong," Harry told the soldier, who had suffered from impaired eyesight due to a blast.

Kicking Off Day 2

On May 11, the Duke and duch*ess of Sussex attended a training session forNigeria: Unconquered, a national charity working in collaboration with the Invictus Games Foundation. Their visit focused on sports recovery, and they observed a basketball match and training session with athletes.

Sitting Courtside

Upon arriving at the Defense Headquarters Officers’ Mess in Abuja, the couple was promptly escorted to watch a sitting volleyball game. As they settled into their seats in the arena, they were presented with scarves in Nigeria's green and white colors.

In on the Action

After about 15 minutes, Harry was invited to join in. His colleagues shouted, "Team Harry!" Animated Meghan clapped for every point, regardless of which team scored, but she had a big smile and cheered when Harry scored his first point.

'Auntie' Moment

Royalty Ojeh, the 6-year-old daughter of Nigeria: Unconquered's executive director, was dressed in her best white dress and handed Meghan some roses. The duch*ess took one from the bouquet and handed one back to her. “She was nice,” Royalty says.

Joining In

At the end of the match, Harry was surrounded by players and their families, and Meghan walked over to join the group photo with the teams. As the impromptu photo opportunity concluded, Meghan was warmly embraced by a crowd of women eager to show their appreciation.

Reception Ready

Meghan MarkleandPrince Harrycoordinated their looks for a special reception for military families and the widow association at the Defense Headquarters Officers Mess in Abuja. The outing also came with a special update: the unveiling of a rehabilitation center.

Welcoming Community

During the series of speeches, Abike Dabiri Erewa, chairman of the Nigerian Diaspora Commission, elicited wide smiles and applause from Meghan, and applause from around the room when she exclaimed: “Princess Meghan is a Nigerian!"

Going Glam

For the event, the couple matched in linen ensembles. Meghan went glam in a St. Agni white strapless column linen dress, while Harry wore a cream linen suit.

PEOPLE exclusively reveals that the necklace, featuring a delicate diamond cross on a gold chain, was a recent gift from Prince Harry to his wife and once belonged to his mother, Princess Diana.

Speaking Out

Meghanjoined Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization, in a candid panel discussion on day two of hertrip to NigeriaalongsidePrince Harry.

"I am just flattered and honored and inspired. It has been a whirlwind 24 hours since we arrived, and I very quickly got the memo that I need to wear more color, so I can fit in with all of you and your incredible fashion!" Meghan told the crowd at the event, which was attended by PEOPLE.

"I am very overwhelmed. So I want to start by saying thank you very much for just how gracious you've all been in welcoming my husband and I to this country,” Meghan said, pausing briefly before adding to the applause, "my country."

Festive Welcome

On May 12, the Duke and duch*ess of Sussex traveled from the capital city of Abuja to Lagos, where they were greeted at the airport for the third and final day of their trip to Nigeria with a traditional dance performance.

Meghan stylishly arrived in a Carolina Herrera button-down shirt with a traditional Nigerian skirt gifted to her during their visit to Abuja, after joking the day before about rethinking the neutral wardrobe she brought along!

"I very quickly got the memo that I need to wear more color, so I can fit in with all of you and your incredible fashion!" she said at the women's leadership event on May 11.

Mother's Day Wishes

Harry and Meghan moved to Ilupeju Senior Grammar School to catch a Giants of Africa basketball exhibition, where the duch*ess of Sussex received her first public Mother’s Day wishes.

"I want to wish you a happy, happy Mother’s Day," the charity’s Vice-Chairman and President, former NBA star Masai Ujiri said on the holiday in the U.S.

Sporty Side

PEOPLE attended the basketball clinic, where the Duke and duch*ess of Sussex unveiled a partnership between their Archewell Foundation and the Giants of Africa charity, which uses sport — particularly basketball — to empower and engage young people.

Prince Harry and Meghan both spoke at the event, where she revealed who's truly the sporty one between them.

"To all of you, we can’t wait to see you play. Don’t tempt me to try to do any basketball, my husband is the athletic one!" she told athletes with a laugh.

Making good on what his wife said, Harry later shot and scored at a basketball hoop.

Special Reception

The couple then headed to a reception at the State Governor House in Lagos, where Meghan wore something that looked familiar. The duch*ess of Sussex was bright in the same yellow flowing dress that she wore for Prince Archie's first birthday in 2020, and draped the shawl she received as a gift from the governor's wife over her shoulder.

Prince Archie turned 5 on May 6, and the family celebrated the occasion privately before Meghan and Harry's journey.

Perfect Day for Polo

Prince Harry and Meghan checked out familiar stomping grounds for the final outing on their last day in Nigeria: the polo field!

The Duke and duch*ess of Sussex visited the prestigious Lagos Polo Club for a reception benefitting Nigeria Unconquered. Established in 1904, the Lagos Polo Club is one of Nigeria's oldest and most esteemed social clubs, renowned for its vibrant equestrian culture and polo tournaments.

Meghan and avid polo player Harry posed for a photo with the Nigerian Chief of Defense Staff, Christopher Musa and his wife, Lilian Musa, bringing their trip full-circle as the official invited them abroad.