Prince Harry and Meghan Markle boarded a flight from Heathrow in London as they prepared for their three-day visit of Nigeria.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were left waiting at Heathrow after a delay to their flight (Image: GETTY)

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have left the UK for their three-day visit to Nigeria – but not before they were left waiting at Heathrow Airport after an issue with their British Airways pilot.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have arrived in the West African country for their whistlestop tour after Harry visited London this week.

In a surprise move, Meghan landed at Heathrow after flying solo from the family home in Los Angeles before reuniting with her husband at the airport’s VIP Windsor Suite.

They boarded an overnight flight to the Nigerian capital of Abuja – but not before they experienced an unexpected issue.

The 11-hour flight was slightly delayed after the scheduled pilot went sick and a replacement for the journey had to be scrambled, according to MailOnline.

Prince Harry met the public after leaving the Invictus Games Foundation 10th Anniversary Service (Image: GETTY)

Harry and Meghan, who are visiting Nigeria for the first time together, were seated in the First Class section of the Boeing 777 and were separated from other passengers by a curtain.

When they touched down in Nigeria at 5am, fellow passengers were reportedly held back so the couple could be escorted off the aircraft. Harry and Meghan also exchanged smiles with cabin crew as they disembarked.

They were met at Abuja Nnamdi Azikiwe International by Nigerian officials. They were taken out of a side door onto the jetty and into a waiting blacked-out minibus.

The couple were accompanied by the same security team that had accompanied Harry throughout his stay in London this week.

The Duke of Sussex returned to the UK this week to attend a special service at St Paul’s Cathedral in London to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.

But it was a solo trip for the prince, with Meghan choosing to remain in California with their children. Royal Family members snubbed the event on Wednesday – despite reportedly being invited by Harry.

Harry and King Charles didn’t meet in the UK this week – despite being a few miles away from each other as the Monarch hosted a garden party at Buckingham Palace.

Earlier this week, a spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex confirmed father and son wouldn’t be meeting, citing the King’s “full programme”.