Last month, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden visited Nigeria for a three-day tour, and in that short span, she accomplished something Meghan Markle still hasn't managed despite years of trying to play royalty—she dressed with dignity, grace, and genuine cultural awareness.
Her wardrobe was flawless, elegant, and respectful, featuring perfectly tailored outfits that honored Nigerian customs. Not a shoulder or a hint of cleavage in sight—three whole days without flashing anyone. Victoria moved through the country in soft florals and pastel suits, embracing local expectations with poise and modesty. She didn’t appear as if she’d taken a wrong turn on the way to the Met Gala or was trying out for a Baywatch remake set in Abuja.
In stark contrast, Meghan Markle wore nearly $120,000 worth of clothing yet managed to look like she'd been styled from the clearance rack of a fast fashion outlet. Her outfits were often wrinkled, ill-fitting, and randomly revealing, with moments more suited to a poolside party in Las Vegas than a school visit in a Muslim-majority country. While Victoria came with purpose—focused on strengthening diplomatic ties, promoting sustainable development, and representing Sweden with professionalism—Meghan seemed intent on turning the trip into a personal fashion show, as though she were auditioning for a cultural appropriation-themed Instagram reel.
Even Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, couldn’t help but subtly call out Meghan’s performative approach. In her speech, she all but told Meghan to drop the act, making it clear this was not the Met Gala. Her words served as a cultural reality check, a reminder that real diplomacy doesn’t involve curated photo ops or influencer theatrics. One woman is a crown princess with a sense of duty, the other a self-styled duchess turned Netflix personality with a knack for attention-seeking and a disregard for local traditions.
Then there's Meghan's curious claim of being “43% Nigerian,” as if that entitles her to bypass the norms of respectful dressing and behavior. Her visit felt less like a goodwill tour and more like a series of TikTok-ready glamour shots sprinkled with hollow acts of charity. Despite the backlash, she still appeared at every turn with skin-baring outfits and a camera-ready smile, as though her presence alone were a gift to the people.
Meanwhile, Crown Princess Victoria quietly embodied everything a modern royal should be. She conducted herself with purpose, humility, and authenticity—no need for a film crew, a dramatic blog post, or staged content. She showed up, paid respect, and made a lasting impression through her actions rather than her wardrobe. Victoria was the standard. Meghan, take notes: true royalty doesn’t need to reveal skin to make an impact. They earn respect through grace and sincerity, not spectacle. Victoria arrived, excelled, and set a standard so high it’s still floating somewhere above Lagos. The difference is clear—class over flash, royalty over reality show cosplay. Nigeria noticed. So did the rest of us.
