Prince Harry and Meghan Markle blasted in 15-word dig over ‘old-school royal tour’

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s tour in Nigeria closely mirrors the royal tours they once embarked on.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have raised some eyebrows on their trip to Nigeria as “their old-school royal tour” is sending mixed messages, according to an expert who said in a 15-word dig: “It’s a little bit all over the place in terms of how they presented it.”

The couple touched down in Abuja on Friday morning and have spent the past couple of days taking part in activities and summits to promote the Invictus Games and mental health awareness.

However the “private” visit in many ways mirrors an official royal tour, even though the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are no longer working members of the Royal Family.

So far Harry and Meghan have been photographed greeting crowds, inspecting the troops and taking part in a volleyball match, something even Prince William did himself this week in Cornwall.

Newsweek’s royal correspondent Jack Royston told The Sun’s Royal Exclusive Show: “It’s not a private trip. I mean, it’s so funny because even that announcement of itself was made at a press conference with ‘welcome Duke and Duchess of Sussex’ in the background and big board.”

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been warmly welcomed in Nigeria (Image: Getty)

He added: “But essentially no it’s not a private trip, it’s very close to an old school royal tour, except for the fact that obviously they haven’t, in general, invited the media as a whole.”

Back in 2019 the Sussexes went on a tour of southern Africa representing the Royal Family, bringing little Prince Archie with them, however they stepped down as working royals just a few months later.

The couple are visiting Abuja, Lagos and Kaduna on their tour this time around before jetting back to California on Monday, potentially flying via London.

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The Sussexes are on a so-called “private visit” (Image: Getty)

While in West Africa the couple are focusing on the Invictus Games, which Nigeria took part in for the first time last year and may be hosting in 2029.

The Invictus spirit will be reflected in many of the couple’s activities, with Harry joining in with Nigeria Unconquered as they played a game of volleyball against the Chief of Defence staff’s team.

Mr Royston explained: “I think they’re going to take part possibly in some wheelchair basketball. They’re going to watch some training by soldiers who, presumably at the very least, might be in the Nigeria Invictus team if they’re not already.”

Prince Harry played volleyball in Abuja (Image: Getty)

He added: “They’ve been to a school already, so it’s very much that old school royal playbook. They look great, it’s fantastic to see.”

He also said that the best thing the Duke and Duchess of Sussex can do is “leave the era attacking the family behind them” – while encouraging them to carry out these types of visits in America, too.