Prince Harry LIVE: Duke and Meghan Markle beam and take selfies as they meet children in Nigeria
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have arrived in Nigeria for a 72-hour trip after the Duke’s short visit to the UK – and met children at a local academy as they promoted the Invictus Games

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex met school children in Nigeria as part of a brief tour – after a secret reunion at Heathrow Airport.

New images show Prince Harry and Meghan meeting children at the Lights Academy in Abuja, Nigeria, today as they touched down in the African nation following the Duke’s whistle-stop visit to the UK.

It comes after Meghan arrived in London yesterday and waited in the VIP Windsor Suite for her husband’s arrival before they both boarded an overnight flight to Abuja. The couple are understood to have travelled in first class of the plane.

Nigerian officials met them at Abuja, where they were taken out of a side door onto the jetty and into a waiting minibus. The trip comes after Harry made a brief visit to London, where he did not reunite with the Royal Family. Harry made the trip alone as Meghan decided to remain at their home in America.

Their flight was hit with a delay after the scheduled pilot was sick and a replacement had to be found. When they arrived in Abuja, other travellers were held back as they were escorted off the plane.

Yesterday the The King made a surprise visit to an Army barracks where he joked he had been “allowed out” of his cage and he “wanted to come to have a look”. Charles made the playful comments while on a trip to the 3 Royal School of Military Engineering (3RSME) at Gibraltar Barracks in Surrey.

Follow our live blog below…

13:54Antony Clements-Thrower
Prince William ‘acts like brother Harry no longer exists and his silence is deafening during Duke’s UK visit’
Prince William seems to act as if his younger brother Harry “no longer exists” and his silence is “deafening”, a royal expert has said.

The Duke of Sussex visited the UK this week to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. Harry, 39, was joined for the service of thanksgiving by close relatives of his mother Diana, and a mentor who supported him after her death.

The St Paul’s Cathedral service to recognise the Paralympic-style competition the royal founded began as a few miles away King Charles met guests at the first Buckingham Palace garden party of the year. The monarch and his son have not met during Harry’s brief UK visit due to the King’s “full programme”, said the duke’s spokesman in a statement.

And Harry did not even meet his brother William, who unlike his father, did not issue an excuse, pointed out royal author Tom Quinn. According to the expert, Harry’s visit did “nothing” to repair damaged royal relations as the duke appeared to be “publicly snubbed by his father and brother”.

Read more: Prince William ‘acts like brother Harry no longer exists and his silence is deafening during Duke’s UK visit’

13:05Antony Clements-Thrower
Prince Harry ‘in his element without royal restrictions’ as he ignores King Charles snub
Prince Harry looked “totally relaxed” and “without royal restrictions” as he paid a special visit to children whose parents have died.

The Duke of Sussex was pictured chatting and playing games with 50 bereaved military children and young people, aged between six and 22, as part of an event organised by Scotty’s Little Soldiers. He also spoke to nine members from Scotty’s Council, a group of young people who represent the charity.

Body language expert Judi James told The Mirror Harry looked “enthusiastic” during the visit as he wasn’t restricted by royal protocols. She said: “Harry has always been one of the royals who can look totally relaxed and playful with young children he’s visiting and he looks in his element here.”

Read more: Prince Harry ‘in his element without royal restrictions’ as he ignores King Charles snub

Prince Harry looked relaxed, according to the body language expert (
Image:
Scotty’s TV)
12:03Joseph Gamp

Harry left explosive details out of his book as family would ‘never forgive’ him
Prince Harry claims that he left secret details out of his tell-all memoir Spare – in order to protect Prince William.

According to the Duke of Sussex, who has now left British soil after a flying visit for the Invictus Games service, the candid book could well have been two volumes had he chosen to divulge all.

Harry did not meet up with William, or their father King Charles, during his trip to the UK, despite reports that both senior royals were invited to attend the service on May 8.

Harry and William’s relationship has been fraught for some time – and tensions seemed to emerge way before the duke’s move to the US. In Spare, Harry details some of the more testing moments in their brotherly relationship – including an alleged physical altercation and a heated showdown at Prince Philip’s funeral.

As explosive as such revelations undoubtedly were, Harry claims there was much more he could have said, with the incidents referred to in Spare apparently being just the tip of the iceberg…

Read more: Harry left explosive details out of his book as family would ‘never forgive’ him

11:16Antony Clements-Thrower
More photos shared of Harry and Meghan’s Nigeria trip
More photos of Harry and Meghan’s trip to Nigeria have been released this morning.

The couple were pictured enjoying the local dancing as they arrived at Lights Academy in Abuja. They were seen smiling as they met with locals during the visit. Later today, the couple will meet with wounded soldiers and their families in what Nigerian officials have said is a show of support to improve the soldiers’ morale and wellbeing.

Abidemi Marquis, the director of sports at Nigeria’s Defense Headquarters, said: “This engagement with Invictus is giving us the opportunity for the recovery of our soldiers.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex enjoying the dancing as they arrive at the Lightway Academy (
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)
10:54Antony Clements-Thrower
Prince William makes first visit to Isles of Scilly since becoming Duke of Cornwall
The Prince of Wales met with businesses and organisations from the Isles of Scilly, in his first visit since becoming the Duke of Cornwall.

William travelled to St Mary’s Island to learn about the waterfront and its importance to Islanders. He is set to spend time with harbour operators as well as local people from firms on St Mary’s, hearing about life on the islands and their preparations for the summer seasons.

As heir to the throne, the prince is Duke of Cornwall and receives an income from the Duchy of Cornwall – a portfolio of land, property and investments – which owns much of the Isles of Scilly and nearly a third of residential buildings.

The Prince of Wales has made a visit to the Isles of Scilly (
Image:
PA)
Don’t Miss
10:34Joseph Gamp
Harry and Meghan meet children and staff at school during Nigeria trip
Prince Harry and Meghan have met children at the Lights Academy in Abuja, Nigeria today as they touched down in the African nation following the Duke’s whistlestop visit to the UK.

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan have arrived in Nigeria to champion the Invictus Games, which he founded to aid the rehabilitation of wounded and sick servicemembers and veterans.

In the images below, the pair can be seen smiling and joking with children as they are greeted at the school.

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan have arrived in Nigeria to champion the Invictus Games (
Image:
AP)
10:13Antony Clements-Thrower
Cricket club’s “honour” as King Charles becomes new patron
Lancashire Cricket Club is “honoured” to welcome the King as patron as his majesty takes on the role his mother held for seven decades.

A portrait has been commissioned which will be hung proudly in the Emirates Old Trafford Long Room once complete.

Andy Anson, chair of Lancashire Cricket, said: “On behalf of everyone at the club, we are honoured to welcome His Majesty The King as Lancashire Cricket’s new patron. We are extremely proud of the club’s connection with the royal family, and we’re delighted His Majesty The King will continue the tradition of the Duke of Lancaster, being Lancashire Cricket’s patron.

“It would be an absolute pleasure to welcome His Majesty The King to Emirates Old Trafford, the home of Lancashire Cricket, if the opportunity arises.”

The King is also patron of Marylebone Cricket Club.

Prince Charles is said the new patron at Lancashire Cricket Club
09:45Joseph Gamp
Meghan Markle ‘at risk of being criticised for making Nigeria visit an ego trip’
Meghan Markle has been issued a warning about her trip to Nigeria with Prince Harry as one royal expert believes she could come across as “patronising”.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are visiting the African country on a 72-hour whistle stop tour. They landed in Abuja on Friday morning following a short flight delay. During the trip, Harry and Meghan will visit the country’s military headquarters and promote the Invictus Games.

Royal author Tom Quinn has warned Meghan is at risk of being “criticised” if she makes the visit “an ego trip”. Speaking to The Mirror, he explained: “Like many very wealthy people she doesn’t see anything patronising about the idea of a princess visiting the poor.

Read more: Meghan Markle ‘at risk of being criticised for making Nigeria visit an ego trip’

08:57Antony Clements-Thrower
Prince Harry’s surprising ‘nemesis’ and brutal way Charles is ‘setting him adrift – permanently’
In a decisive move, King Charles and senior royals are sending estranged Prince Harry a brutal sign he is “being set adrift – permanently”.

That’s according to royal author and commentator Tom Quinn, who responded to Charles III’s “rushed” and brutally timed announcement over a key royal role this week, claiming it was designed to show Harry he “really is no longer welcome.”

Mr Quinn said: “Having always hated being the spare in terms of the succession he now finds that one of the few important roles he had as the younger brother has now been handed over to the person Harry himself described as his nemesis. Harry cannot fail to get the message; his last few ties to his old life are being cut and he is being set adrift, permanently.”

Read more: Prince Harry’s surprising ‘nemesis’ and brutal way Charles is ‘setting him adrift – permanently’

A royal expert has spoken out about Prince Harry
08:17Joseph Gamp
Harry ‘realises what he misses most about being a working royal’ after UK trip
Prince Harry finished his three day trip in the UK for an Invictus Games event and has already landed in Nigeria with wife Meghan Markle.

The Duke returned to the UK on Wednesday for an Invictus Games event and attended a service at St. Paul’s Cathedral to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, a groundbreaking sports competition for ex-service people that Harry founded back in 2014. Outside of the cathedral, a crowd was heard cheering Harry and cheering, ” we love you Harry.”

Royal expert Tom Quinn told The Mirror that during the Duke of Sussex’s UK visit, he must have realised he missed one thing: meeting with the public.

Read more: Harry ‘realises what he misses most about being a working royal’ after UK trip

07:26Antony Clements-Thrower
Prince Harry reunites with Meghan Markle as they land in Nigeria after lonely UK trip
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have landed in Nigeria for a brief tour after a reunion at Heathrow Airport.

Meghan Markle arrived yesterday and waited in the VIP Windsor Suite for her husband’s arrival before they both boarded an overnight flight to Abuja. The couple are understood to have travelled in first class of the plane.

Their flight was hit with a delay after the scheduled pilot was sick and a replacement had to be found. When they arrived in Abuja, other travellers were held back as they were escorted off the plane.

Read more: Prince Harry reunites with Meghan Markle as they land in Nigeria after lonely UK trip

The Prince, pictured leaving St Paul’s Cathedral, has arrived in Nigeria (
Image:
Anadolu via Getty Images)
07:00Antony Clements-Thrower
Prince Harry brutally shown ‘you also lose the things you love’ after betraying royal family
The Royal family has shown Prince Harry the “gloves are off” as he’s forced into a harsh realisation for his “betrayal”.

Prince William was this week given the title of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps – an accolade many thought had been reserved for Harry, who served with the corps in Afghanistan.

Royal expert and author Tom Quinn claims Buckingham Palace would have known the timing this week of King Charles snubbing his younger son for the key role he was expected to be granted would have “really hurt” Harry.

The Duke of Sussex was reportedly left “in tears” after his father awarded the newly vacant military honour to Prince William, says the Royal author and commentator.

Read more: Prince Harry brutally shown ‘you also lose the things you love’ after betraying royal family

04:53Abigail O’Leary
Prince William reminisces about holidays with brother Harry
Prince William took a moment to reminisce about childhood holidays with his family and brother Prince Harry on his latest royal visit.

The Prince of Wales spent some time in the glorious sun on Thursday as he began his two-day trip to Cornwall with a visit to Newquay. Also known as the Duke of Cornwall when in the county, William stopped by the site of new homes for people experiencing homelessness, before meeting members of local lifesaving society on the beach later in the day.

But it wasn’t all business, as William found time for a game of beach volleyball with local youths and even got to check out displays of their impressive surfing skills. In one sweet moment, he cast his mind back to the Royal Family’s visits to the picturesque coast himself as a young boy.

Read more: Prince William reminisces about holidays with brother Harry during latest royal visit

The Prince of Wales, known as the Duke of Cornwall when in Cornwall, plays volleyball during a visit to Newquay (
Image:
PA)
04:10Abigail O’Leary
Prince Harry shown ‘gloves are off’ as he’s forced into harsh realisation
The Royal family has shown “troublesome prince” Prince Harry that the “gloves are off” as he’s forced into a harsh realisation for his “betrayal”.

That’s according to a royal expert and author, who claims senior royals within Buckingham Palace would have known that the timing this week of King Charles snubbing his younger son for a key role he was expected to be granted would have “really hurt” Harry.

The Duke of Sussex was reportedly left “in tears” after his father awarded the newly vacant military honour to Prince William, says Royal author and commentator, Tom Quinn. Harry had only just returned to the UK for the 10th anniversary celebrations of the Invictus Games, only for his arrival in London to be eclipsed by news that King Charles had no time to see him, despite widespread speculation of a potential reconciliation.

But, to add insult to injury, just hours after it was confirmed there would be no father-son reunion, the Palace announced that William would receive the title of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps – an accolade many thought had been reserved for Harry, who famously served with the corps in Afghanistan.

Mr Quinn told The Mirror that those within the Palace circles “knew” the timing would “really hurt” the Duke of Sussex, revealing: “he is said to have been in tears when he heard”. He added: “But they have decided the gloves are off and that Harry needs to realise that when you betray the family, you don’t just escape the things you hated doing as a working royal. You also lose the things you loved.”

Read the full story here: Prince Harry shown ‘gloves are off’ as he’s forced into harsh realisation for ‘betraying Royal family’

02:20Abigail O’Leary
Prince Harry delivered ‘kick in teeth’ as Charles times ‘hurtful’ announcement
Prince Harry has been delivered a “king in the teeth” and King Charles may have timed a “hurtful” royal announcement for maximum impact, a Royal expert has claimed.

The Duk of Sussex was said to have been left “in tears” after his father bestowed a new military honour upon Prince William, according to Royal author and commentator, Tom Quinn. The Duke of Sussex had flown back to the UK for the 10th anniversary celebrations of the Invictus Games. His arrival in London was overshadowed by news that King Charles had no time to see him, despite widespread rumours of a possible reconciliation.

In a twist of fate, just hours after it was confirmed that there would be no father-son reunion, the Palace declared that Prince William would receive the title of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps, an accolade many believed would go to Prince Harry, who served with the corps in Afghanistan.

Read more: Prince Harry delivered ‘kick in teeth’ as Charles times ‘hurtful’ announcement for maximum impact

The move is a real kick in the teeth for Harry who is back in the UK for a short trip from the States
01:23Abigail O’Leary
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s plans for three-day Nigeria tour
Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle will begin their tour to Nigeria on Friday, May 10, as they visit the country’s military headquarters and promote the Invictus Games. This will be the couple’s first trip to Nigeria together.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are set to arrive in the African nation the morning before they are set to visit the Nigerian Defence Headquarters in Abuja, before they visit Lagos. Nigerian officials said the couple’s trip will last until Monday, and a royal representative for the couple confirmed to The Mirror that members of the media will also be joining them on the trip.

Harry has been in London since Tuesday, May 7, where he attended various events relating to the competition, which included a service at St. Paul’s Cathedral, as he celebrates the Games’ 10th anniversary. Harry will reportedly travel to Nigeria on Wednesday, May 8, with Meghan expected to be flying to Nigeria from Los Angeles to reunite with her husband before their three-day visit.

Read more: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s plans for three-day Nigeria tour revealed after his lone UK trip

Meghan and Harry’s plans for three-day Nigeria tour revealed (
Image:
Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation)
00:32Abigail O’Leary
Prince Harry tells William and Charles ‘you can’t take this’ as he sends hidden message
A defiant Prince Harry may have sent his “archnemesis” brother Prince William and estranged father King Charles a hidden message with this choice of attire on Wednesday night, a royal expert has claimed.

The Duke of Sussex was seen wearing his KCVO Neck Order and Star at a recent event at St Paul’s Cathedral, which some are saying is a firm message to his father, King Charles, and his brother, Prince William. At this event marking the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, Harry used his attire to pay homage to his period as a senior working Royal despite the rest of the Royal Family choosing not to attend.

The KCVO Neck Order and Star in question are awards given for services to the monarchy, falling under the Royal Victorian Order – a prestigious order of knighthood. Tom Quinn, a noted Royal author, speculates that the act was a symbolic gesture from Harry to his familial relations, indicating his valuable contributions to the monarchy.

Speaking exclusively with The Mirror, Tom commented: “Harry was seen wearing his Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order medal at St Paul’s Cathedral for the Invictus service. The medal was given to Harry in 2015 by his late grandmother Elizabeth II for ‘services to the monarchy’.”

Read more: EXCLUSIVE: Prince Harry tells William and Charles ‘you can’t take this!’ as he sends hidden message

Prince Harry leaves St Paul’s Cathedral but what chose to wear sent a telling message to Charles and William, a royal commentator has claimed (
Image:
Anthony Harvey/REX/Shutterstock)
22:55Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas
Prince William reminisces about holidays with brother Harry
Prince William took a moment to reminisce about childhood holidays with his family and brother Prince Harry on his latest royal visit.

The Prince of Wales spent some time in the glorious sun on Thursday as he began his two-day trip to Cornwall with a visit to Newquay. Also known as the Duke of Cornwall when in the county, William stopped by the site of new homes for people experiencing homelessness, before meeting members of local lifesaving society on the beach later in the day.

But it wasn’t all business, as William found time for a game of beach volleyball with local youths and even got to check out displays of their impressive surfing skills. In one sweet moment, he cast his mind back to the Royal Family’s visits to the picturesque coast himself as a young boy.

Read more: Prince William reminisces about holidays with brother Harry during latest royal visit

Prince William enjoyed a game of beach volleyball on a trip to Cornwall (
Image:
PA)
22:07Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas
Prince Harry’s ‘second father’ knows’ Duke needs support he expected from King’
Prince Harry was supported by his “second dad” Mark Dyer at an Invictus Games event last night after being snubbed by the Royal Family.

The pair were at St Paul’s Cathedral, London, for a service of thanksgiving to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Invictus Games.

Harry sat next to Mark inside the cathedral, with the pair sharing a close relationship following the death of Harry’s mum Princess Diana.

Read more: Prince Harry’s ‘second father Mark Dyer knows Duke needs support he expected from King Charles’

Prince Harry was supported by Mark Dyer
21:43Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas
Prince Harry sent ‘clear signal’ as unexpected guests ‘lay claim to him’
Prince Harry sent a “clear signal” as several of his non-royal relatives turned out to support him at his UK event, an expert has said.

Harry was joined at the service of thanksgiving to mark 10 years of the Invictus Games at St Paul’s Cathedral by close relatives of his mother Diana, Princess of Wales and a mentor who supported him after her death, along with hundreds from the “Invictus family”.

Read more: Prince Harry sent ‘clear signal’ as unexpected guests ‘lay claim to him’ after royal family snub

21:17KEY EVENT
Prince Harry leaves the UK
Prince Harry has left the UK to reunite with Meghan Markle after a whistlestop trip to his home country.

The Duke of Sussex left London and will travel to Nigeria, where he and Meghan will undertake a tour of the country after being invited by the West African country’s chief of defence staff, who met Harry in Germany last September at Invictus Games Dusseldorf.

Harry was in London on Wednesday to mark the 10th anniversary of his Invictus Games at St Paul’s Cathedral, as Charles hosted a Buckingham Palace garden party just two miles away. But the King was said to be too busy to see his son, as confirmed in a statement earlier this week that revealed the pair would not meet because the monarch had a busy programme of ­official duties.

Read more: Harry leaves UK to reunite with Meghan after whirlwind visit and family snub

(
Image:
n.c)
20:34Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas
Prince Harry in awkward moment as he gets hassled by fan
Prince Harry appeared to endure a rather awkward interaction with a fan during his trip to London this week, with the Duke left red-faced by the run-in.

The Duke of Sussex has been back in his former country of residence this week for the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. Last night, after a thanksgiving service for the games at St Paul’s Cathedral in the city, the father-of-two was on an impromptu walkabout.

Harry conversed with fans and greeted a group of onlookers who all had their phones out to take snaps of the Duke, with Harry enduring a rather awkward moment.

As Harry greeted each of the bystanders, one woman moved one of two phones that she was holding towards Harry’s face.

In footage from the interaction, as per reports, Harry can be seen touching the woman’s arm before she pulled away. The Duke then exclaimed, sounding shocked: “You’ve got two cameras? How did you end up with two cameras? That doesn’t even make sense!”

Read more: Prince Harry in awkward moment as he gets hassled by fan at Invictus Games event

Prince Harry seemingly suffered a rather awkward moment this week in London
20:03Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas
Camilla hosts Buckingham Palace reception
Queen Camilla met Alastair Stewart today as she hosted a reception to celebrate the 90th Anniversary of Brooke, a working horses charity.

Queen Camilla speaks to Brooke charity’s patron, Alastair Stewart (
Image:
Getty Images)
19:45Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas
What Prince Harry said to a fan on their honeymoon
Fans could be heard shouting out to the Duke yesterday, with many saying “we love you, Harry”.

The Duke was seemingly touched by the sentiment and even stayed with the fans for a while, shaking their hands and conversing with them.

Cracking a joke with one lady who was on her honeymoon, Prince Harry said: “You didn’t get married in St Paul’s, though?”.

Read more: What Prince Harry said to a fan on their honeymoon during surprise London walkabout

19:05Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas
William admits breaking royal rule on beach trip – hours after avoiding Harry
Prince William admitted to breaking a royal rule today as he visited a world-famous beach in Cornwall.

The prince, who is also the Duke of Cornwall, paid a visit to Fistral Beach just hours after his estranged brother Prince Harry was in the UK for an appearance at St Paul’s Cathedral for his Invictus Games. During the visit, William said he was desperate to get his wet suit on and get out in the ocean, but stayed suited and booted as he was on official duties.

However, he made one little boy’s day as he secretly signed his plaster cast and told him: “Shhh, don’t tell anyone. I’m not meant to do that!” Phoenix Kanes, nine, cheekily stopped the prince and asked if he would sign the plaster cast on his broken arm.

Prince William on a visit to Fistral Beach in Cornwall today (
Image:
POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
18:46Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas
All the Queen’s horses at Buckingham Palace
As well as a pair of mini ponies, the Brooke charity at event at the Palace also saw Camilla come face to face with two finely decorated horses.

Queen Camilla hosted a reception at Buckingham Palace on Thursday (
Image:
PA)
18:14Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas
Prince William tries his hand at at beach volleyball
A sportsmanlike Prince William took part in a game of volleyball on his visit to Fistrall Beach in Newquay today.

The Duke of Cornwall plays volleyball during a visit to Fistrall Beach (
Image:
PA)
17:45KEY EVENT
King Charles said he’s ‘glad to be out of cage’
King Charles said he was glad to be “out of my cage” as he embarked on his first military engagement since announcing a comeback to public duty – and just hours after Prince Harry’s UK appearance.

Charles, 75, met staff and families of the 3 Royal School of Military Engineering (3RSME), the training base for the Army’s Royal Engineers. He took on the role of Colonel-in-Chief in March last year which used to be held by Queen Elizabeth II.

Read more: King Charles ‘glad to be out of cage’ as he meets military families hours after Prince Harry snub

17:20Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas
Zara Tindall takes a dip at horse trials
Zara Tindall entered the water briefly on day two of the horse trials at The Badminton Estate, Gloucestershire.

Zara Tindall on day two of the Badminton Horse trials 2024 (
Image:
PA)
16:51KEY EVENT
Beach day for William
There was plenty of fun in the sun for Prince William today, who met members of the local community and even played a game of beach volleyball at Newquay, Cornwall.

He’s also due to make a visit to the Isles of Scilly as part of his trip down to the region.

William signs the plaster cast of a young boy on the beach

Prince William on a visit to Fistral Beach in Cornwall today