While visiting Nigeria, Meghan Markle recently claimed Nigeria is her “home country.”
On Saturday while participating in a speaking engagement moderated by Nigerian media mogul Mo Abudu, Markle stated “I want to start by saying thank you very much for just how gracious you’ve all been in welcoming my husband and I to this country, my country.”
Markle, while on the panel, told the crowd she discovered she was 43% Nigerian through a genealogy test.
After sharing that she was 43% Nigerian, Mrkle stated, “But you need to come back home. You need to at least be a familiar face for the next generation to say, ‘oh, she looks like me. And I can be that.”
Meghan Markle has referred to Nigeria as “my country” as she opened up about her background during an engagement over the weekend. https://t.co/CA6TC251IJ pic.twitter.com/EwJ5Klr3a4
— New York Post (@nypost) May 13, 2024
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have arrived in Lagos, Nigeria for the third day of their visit to the country. 🇳🇬💫 pic.twitter.com/grmCT3eEgN
— African Folder (@africanfolder) May 12, 2024
Per People:
Meghan Markle joined Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization, in a candid panel discussion on day two of her trip to Nigeria alongside Prince Harry.
On Saturday, May 11, approximately 50 leading women from various sectors of Nigerian society including politics, business, media, and culture, attended the session, which was moderated by Nigerian media mogul Mo Abudu, who heads Africa’s first global black entertainment lifestyle network.
“I am just flattered and honored and inspired. It has been a whirlwind 24 hours since we arrived, and I very quickly got the memo that I need to wear more color, so I can fit in with all of you and your incredible fashion!” Meghan, who wore a red dress by Nigerian designer Orire, told the crowd at the event, which was attended by PEOPLE.
“I am very overwhelmed. So I want to start by saying thank you very much for just how gracious you’ve all been in welcoming my husband and I to this country,” Meghan said, pausing briefly before adding to the applause, “my country.”
Meghan Markle declares Nigeria as ‘my country’ during visit with Prince Harry https://t.co/vLm01tjlXN pic.twitter.com/0qk4rMle9h
— New York Post (@nypost) May 13, 2024
Here’s what the Hindustan Times reported:
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s recent trip to Nigeria has been nothing short of a triumphant return to the spotlight after keeping a low profile for some time. The Duchess of Sussex, in a colourful display of cultural connection, arrived fashionably late (by an hour!) to a women’s leadership summit. However, she quickly made up for it by delivering an impactful yet emotional speech and lovingly declaring Nigeria “my country” after learning of her Nigerian heritage through a genealogy test.
Meghan addressed the crowd at the women’s event held at the World Trade Organisation in the capital, Abuja, expressing her gratitude and honour for the warm reception she and her husband received from the locals in Nigeria. She even chuckled while mentioning a memo she received advising her to wear more colours to better connect with the people on cultural grounds.
“I want to start by saying thank you very much for just how gracious you’ve all been in welcoming my husband and I to this country… my country.” The former Suits star said.
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