Meghan Markle’ won over fans whilst on her recent trip to Nigeria alongside husband Prince Harry.
The three day trip, which has been likened to a royal tour despite the couple no longer being working royals, has been deemed a success with Meghan being described by an onlooker as ‘cheerful and warm’ and ‘a role model for young women’.
The comments come as Meghan’s popularity has seen her ranked on the list of ‘most disliked celebrities of 2024’ alongside husband Harry. The pair might have been deemed as unpopular due to getting low scores, but she received a glowing report from a senior figure on her Nigeria trip.
Speaking to Vanity Fair after Meghan’s three day trip to Nigeria, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a Nigerian-American economist who is currently serving as the director-general of the World Trade Organisation, praised the Duchess’ personality. She said: “She’s a role model for young women, she’s a woman who is not in an easy position, and people are looking to see—how is she managing and navigating this? That’s one of the things she brings: inspiration. You can see in spite of that, she’s a cheerful, warm personality, and everybody in the room took to her.”
Despite the praise, Meghan and Harry’s trip to Nigeria reportedly causing upset in the royal family, with commentators noting their visit to Nigeria had all the hallmarks of a royal tour. It also appears there will be similar trips for Harry and Meghan on the cards in the future, as in a message thanking the people of Nigeria following their return home, they described it as “the first of many trips”.
The trip is thought to have angered the royal family, and in particular Prince William. Royal author Tom Quinn told The Mirror: “William is absolutely furious and determined to find a way to stop this happening in future. Charles is said to be angrier than anyone has ever seen him.
“What’s really upset the applecart is the fact that the Nigerians treated Meghan and Harry as if they too thought this was an official tour – all the signs were there as the couple were greeted with dances, receptions, visits to schools and charities.”
Reflecting on Meghan and Harry’s trip, Mr Quinn argued that it’s “easy to see why the senior royals are worried” and said it could be that the Nigeria visit was designed to give the impression Harry and Meghan were still working royals.
“Everything you might expect from an official Royal visit was there – the receptions, the visits to schools and charities, to wounded soldiers and the disabled. Meghan and Harry’s speeches and their whole attitude has been designed to give the impression that they are still fully paid-up royals and William and his father King Charles don’t like it one bit,” he concluded.
