Prince Harry gives his first interview alongside Meghan Markle in Nigeria after awkward UK snub
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are in Nigeria to promote the Invictus Games, with the couple having a very busy schedule on their 72-hour whistle stop tour
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been spotted in Nigeria for the first time as the Duke of Sussex gave a passionate speech about mental health.
Addressing the room at the Lights Academy in Abuja, Harry said: “In some places around the world, more than you would believe, there is a stigma against mental health. Too many people don’t want to talk about it because it’s invisible, it’s in your mind and we can’t see it.”
Meghan smiled as she stood next to her husband as he spoke, nodding along to his comments. Harry continued to say that mental health is “still something we are relatively unsure of”. He added: “But guess what, every single person in this room, the youngest, the oldest, every single person has mental health.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been seen in Nigeria for the first time
“So therefore, you have to look after yourself in order to be able to help other people, other people have to look after themselves in order to be able to look after you. That’s the way it works.”
The Duke of Sussex continued: “There is no shame to be able to acknowledge that today is a bad day. Okay? If you woke up this morning feeling sad, if you left school feeling stressed, if you’ve lost a loved one in your family who you usually turn to or speak to, all of these things you may be led to believe are not for conversation. We are here today to tell you that that is not the case.
“Every single one of those things is completely normal. It is a human reaction, whether it’s grief, stress, whatever the feeling is, it comes from experiences you have had.” Harry stressed how anyone can suffer from mental health issues “on any given day”.
The Duke of Sussex gave a speech on mental health
He concluded: “If you take anything away from today, just know that mental health affects every single person.” Meghan didn’t speak during the speech as she let her husband take the lead.
Meghan and Harry both wore casual outfits during the talk. The Duke of Sussex wore a light grey top, while the Duchess opted for a peach-coloured dress. They both wore traditional African necklaces, with Meghan adding a simple gold necklace.
The couple landed in Abuja on Friday morning following Harry’s brief visit to the UK without his wife. They reunited at Heathrow, with Meghan having landed on Thursday from Los Angeles. She was seen waiting for Harry at the airport in the VIP Windsor Suite.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were met by Nigerian officials at Abuja and were accompanied by the same security team that had travelled with Harry to the UK. During their brief visit to Nigeria, Harry and Meghan will visit the country’s military headquarters and promote the Invictus Games.
The couple will spend 72 hours in Nigeria
Today, the couple will visit Lagos following their trip to the Nigerian Defence Headquarters. While in Nigeria, the pair will watch a volleyball game, and visit military hospitals and charities in Abuja and Lagos. The Defence HQ revealed their itinerary in a press conference on Thursday, May 9, saying they are also scheduled to meet injured armed forces personnel and their families.
Air Vice Marshal Abidemi Marquis, the director of sports at the Nigerian Defence Ministry, said in a press briefing on Facebook Live on Thursday, that Harry and Meghan would visit the Wuse Light Academy before seeing Nigeria’s security chief.
The Sussexes will also travel to Kaduna state to go to the Nigerian Army Reference Hospital to visit with recovering wounded and injured soldiers. He shared that on Saturday, May 11, they will have an exhibition of a novelty volleyball match between The Chief of Defence Staff team and the Duke’s team. A reception will follow where the couple will be interacting with the families of the soldiers, loved ones of soldiers and officers killed in action, and other service members.
Harry recently spent time in the UK (
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Harry and Meghan will then visit Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Sunday, May 12, and then attend a basketball exhibition match at a school. A final reception will take place before their visit comes to an end on Monday.
The trip to Nigeria comes after Harry made a quick visit to the UK to take part in a number of engagements for the Invictus Games. The Duke of Sussex had hoped to meet with his father during the visit, but King Charles was too busy.
A spokesperson for Harry explained: “In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation on whether or not the duke will meet with his father while in the UK this week, it unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full programme. The duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.”
