Meghan Markle has generously promised that she and Prince Harry might grace Nigeria with their royal presence once more.
They may even bring along their little ones, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. In a stunning revelation on her podcast, Archetypes, Meghan, now apparently an expert genealogist, delightfully announced that she is a whopping 43% Nigerian. After all, there's nothing quite like discovering one's heritage while on a luxurious royal tour, right?
In a letter obtained by the Western Post, Meghan wrote to the Olo of Iwo, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi: "Your Imperial Majesty, thank you for your warm welcome to Nigeria. Our visit to Nigeria was important for many reasons, 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." The Olu is a traditional Nigerian ruler who met Meghan during her visit and bestowed upon her the traditional Yoruba name of Adetokunbo, which left Meghan deeply humbled. Meghan added in her letter, "I am deeply humbled by your blessing of the traditional name Adetokunbo. I treasure the name and appreciate your trust in me to carry it with grace and dignity."
However, the letter has raised some eyebrows. Nowhere in it is Prince Harry mentioned, nor is there any reference to the Invictus Games, an event closely associated with Harry. This omission has led some to view the letter as part of Meghan Markle's personal PR campaign. During their trip to Iwo, the highlight for Meghan was receiving a traditional chieftaincy title from the Olu, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi. For those unfamiliar, the Olu is a significant figure in Nigerian society, and Meghan's new Yoruba name was a notable honor.
Meghan felt compelled to pen a thank-you note to the Oba, expressing gratitude for the name and hospitality extended to the duo. However, the tone of the letter has been criticized for being overly self-promotional. Despite expressing humility, Meghan's letter appears to focus more on her own experience and status. Referring to the Olu as "Your Imperial Majesty" also raised eyebrows, especially since Meghan has historically been more informal in her references to Queen Elizabeth, often calling her "Harry's grandmother" rather than "Your Majesty."
The absence of genuine humility in the letter has been noted, with critics arguing that Meghan used the opportunity to praise herself rather than sincerely thank the Oba. The visit to Nigeria was not related to the Invictus Games, contrary to initial reports, leading some to believe Meghan was exploiting the event for her own agenda. The Invictus Games organization has been criticized for allowing this perceived exploitation to happen, to the detriment of the veterans the games aim to support.
Meghan's letter gushes about being deeply humbled by the warm welcome and the bestowed name, claiming to carry it with grace and dignity—qualities her critics argue she lacks. She also expresses eagerness to return "home" to Nigeria one day, despite Nigeria not being her actual home. Skeptics doubt she will ever return, seeing Nigeria as just another means for Meghan to bask in the spotlight and receive royal treatment. Meghan's previous claims of Maltese heritage have also been called into question, as she has since been silent on that front, further suggesting her connection to Nigeria may be similarly fleeting.
