Prince Harry has been criticised on social media for some comments he made in Nigeria after he and his wife Meghan Markle were invited to the Lagos State Government House on Sunday.

The couple’s visit was seen as a success and saw Meghan being described as Nigeria’s ” new princess ” after she spoke to locals about the results of a DNA test which revealed she is 43 per cent Nigerian. While in the country, she was honoured as an Ada Mazi, a title of respect meaning “daughter of an aristocrat”, with the honour being of the Ancient Arochukwu Kingdom.

Three Kings, His Eminence Engr Eberechukwu Oji, Eze Aro of Ancient Arochukwu Kingdom, Igwe Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha and Great Olu Of Warri Kingdom, all took part in the special ceremony. Harry, 39, gave a speech at the event and addressed those gathered as his “in-laws”.

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Harry and Meghan visit Lightway Academy in Abuja, Nigeria ( 
Image:
Getty Images for The Archewell Foundation)

The Duke of Sussex said: “I’ll skip the protocol because at this point we’re all family. Thank you for welcoming my wife and myself to Nigeria.” He said this was the pair’s “first visit” but “certainly” it would not be their last.

Harry added: “Thank you for the naming ceremony. I don’t know how I got dragged into that as well, but to be able to witness it as well next to my wife, it means a huge amount to both of us but especially her, so thank you for that.” Meghan also addressed the crowd and could not hide her emotions as she shared with the audience: “I’m missing my babies.” She told the attendees: “It feels appropriate that although of course we are missing our children, I’m missing my babies, it feels very appropriate to be in the motherland and amongst family.”

But Harry’s comment sparked a debate on social media, with some people wondering why he would use the word “in-laws” to address a crowd of people he was not familiar with before the visit. Several critics pointed out that while he described the audience as his “in-laws”, he has no relationship with Meghan’s father, Thomas Markle Sr, or her siblings, Samantha and Thomas Jr.

Someone wrote on X: “He is so desperate to find a family that he’s willing to go above and beyond, journey people his in-laws he has in-laws. He has a father-in-law is a mother-in-law, and he has a stepsister and step-brother-in-law. Oh yeah, he disowned everybody.”

Another critic added: “Harry, traitor to his own family, hasn’t even met his actual father-in-law, who has begged to see him, Meghan, and his grandchildren. This is truly appalling.” Someone else wrote: “He has lost the plot.”

But others pointed out that Harry meant it as a joke and came to the Duke’s defence with someone writing: ” Prince Harry thanking his Nigerian ‘in-laws’ is the cutest thing you’ll hear today!” One commented: “I love how Harry acts like this is all Meghan related. This is as much about him as it is about his wife. #HarryandMeghanAreLoved.”

Harry and Meghan during their visit to Polo Club in Lagos ( 
Image:
Getty Images for The Archewell Foundation)
Another fan added: “OMG. This is like a wedding. So sweet, so endearing, so genuine. A very happy and grateful couple. Archie and Lili will see this one day. They will know they are children of Nigeria too, and feel so happy to be part of this amazing family.”

One more commented: “Harry again being treated better than his own father & brother treat him, who announced to the UK media they would snub him, won’t see him, too busy, can’t stay in any of our many castles/palaces. The Nigerians have embraced H&M like family.”

Meghan is not close to her father, who has not seen her husband Harry and their two children. In September 2023, Thomas Markle branded the Sussexes “cruel” as he made a plea to see his grandkids on live TV. He appeared on Good Morning Britain where he spoke to hosts Susanna Reid and Richard Madeley about healing his relationship with his daughter, as he shared his hope to see his grandkids.

Thomas said that he was desperate to see his grandkids, Archie and Lilibet. He explained that it was “cruel” for him not to be allowed to see his grandkids, and made a plea to be reunited with them. He said: “I’m very upset about it as well because this is a cruel thing to do to a grandparent … To deny the right to see their grandchild.” He also opened up about his own health battles and explained he was managing his stroke recovery.