The British High Commissioner has clarified to the Nigerian press that the Sussexes are visiting Nigeria as private citizens and do not represent His Majesty's government.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have accepted an invitation to visit Nigeria extended by the country's Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa. Dr. Richard Montgomery, the British High Commissioner in Nigeria, revealed this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria while on a courtesy visit to the managing director of the agency, Malam Ali M Ali in Abuja.
He emphasized that although it's wonderful that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are visiting Nigeria, it's important to note that their visit is private, not official. Therefore, the British High Commission is not involved in arranging or facilitating their itinerary, and they do not represent His Majesty's government on this visit.
This clarification is significant because Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been promoting their trip as a royal tour through various publications, such as Vogue and others. However, Dr. Montgomery's statement debunks this notion, emphasizing that they are not representing the British government. While there were demands for statements from Buckingham Palace, the British High Commissioner's declaration holds weight, particularly in Nigeria, where it is likely to be more impactful than if it were issued from the UK. This clarification is crucial, as it counteracts any attempt by the Sussexes to portray their visit as official within Commonwealth countries.
Undoubtedly, there may have been individuals in Nigeria hoping that Prince Harry's presence could influence the UK government or the King for personal gain. However, with this clarification, any such expectations have been firmly quashed. The elaborate but insincere nature of the tour has been exposed, thwarting any attempts to use it for personal or political advantage. Additionally, Meghan Markle's decision to skip the UK visit in favor of Nigeria has sparked criticism, particularly from Lady Colin Campbell.
Lady Colin Campbell has criticized Meghan for snubbing the UK in favor of Nigeria. Despite the planned trip to Nigeria, Meghan has chosen not to accompany Harry to the UK. Speaking to GB News America, Lady C expressed relief that Meghan had opted not to attend, suggesting that her presence would have overshadowed the purpose of the Invictus Games service. Lady C believes that Meghan's attendance would have turned the event into a spectacle focused solely on her and Harry, detracting from the importance of honoring injured veterans.
Regarding the Nigeria visit, Lady C cautioned that the couple is entering dangerous territory with what she describes as a quasi-pseudo state royal visit. She compared the situation to a royal visit, highlighting the fact that despite Prince Harry not being allowed to use the title "His Royal Highness," the visit will likely be presented in Nigeria as a pseudo-royal state visit. This characterization underscores the complexities and potential pitfalls of the Sussexes' visit to Nigeria.
