Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Share Update from Their Archewell Foundation on First Day in Nigeria (Exclusive)
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expanding an existing partnership
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are sharing an update about their Archewell foundation as they kick off their inaugural visit to Nigeria.
On Friday, May 10, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped out for their first international tour since stepping back from their royal roles in 2020 with a visit to the Lightway Academy with The GEANCO Foundation in Abuja.
After spending time with the nonprofit that administers the David Oyelowo Leadership Scholarship for Girls, Harry, 39, and Meghan, 42, are now announcing the expansion of the partnership between GEANCO and the Archewell Foundation.
Archewell’s existing initiative dedicated to serving girls and young women in Nigeria with menstrual health products and educational services will now include mental health resources and training for young men and women.
The announcement coincides with an inaugural Mental Health Summit organized over two days for nearly 200 students in the Nigerian capital of Abuja. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex opened the summit by speaking to the young people gathered there.
Related: Prince Harry’s Friends Say His Royal Status Never Affected His Identity as a Soldier (Exclusive)
It was also announced that GEANCO plans to hold summits throughout Nigeria in the future, “providing teenage girls and boys with the information, skills, and coping mechanisms necessary to flourish mentally” a statement said.
The nonprofit is dedicated to providing medical care, educational services and emotional support to young female survivors of terrorism and gender inequality in Nigeria, and the enhanced partnership with Prince Harry and Meghan’s Archewell Foundation bolsters their work together.
In September 2023, Archewell announced the donation of school supplies and menstrual products to young women in Nigeria in partnership with GEANCO. The support from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s charitable nonprofit also made possible menstrual health education for 2,500 girls throughout where GEANCO serves, supporting the well-being of young women in school.
The David Oyelowo Leadership Scholarship for Girls is named in honor of the British-Nigerian actor, who connected with the Duchess of Sussex in the fall. In November 2023, Meghan moderated a conversation with Oyelowo and Misan Harriman following a special screening of the Academy Award-nominated Netflix short film The After, which the Oyelowo starred in and Harriman directed, at a private residence in Montecito, California.
Related: Why the Royal Family Did Not Attend Prince Harry’s Invictus Games Service in London
Prince Harry and Meghan live in Montecito with their children Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 2, and share a special connection with Harriman. The Nigerian-born British photographer has been behind many of the couple’s family photos, snapping their pregnancy announcement in February 2021 and later the first official photo of their daughter Princess Lilibet at her first birthday party in the U.K. in June 2022. Harriman also appeared in the Harry & Meghan series, which debuted on Netflix in December 2022, and has spoken out to support the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on multiple occasions.
Harry and Meghan are in Nigeria at the invitation of the Chief of Defense Staff, the country’s highest-ranking military official. Prince Harry and Meghan’s stay will highlight the Invictus Games, which welcomed Nigeria as a new entrant at the latest iteration of the adaptive sports competition for wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans in Germany in September 2023.
Nigerian Minister of Defense Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar Badaru attended last year’s Games in Germany, and expressed willingness to host the event should Nigeria be granted the opportunity in the future.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will also meet with service members and participate in a variety of cultural activities while visiting Nigeria, which may be especially poignant for Meghan.
Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!
The Duchess of Sussex previously revealed on her Archetypes podcast in 2022 that she learned she has Nigerian heritage through a genealogy test, and Prince Harry joked in his opening remarks at the 2023 Invictus Games that his wife was rooting for the Nigerian team. The couple also spent time with the Nigerian athletes on the ground in Germany at the latest Invictus Games.
The Nigeria tour follows Prince Harry’s stay in the U.K. this week for the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, which was highlighted by a service at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.
PEOPLE understands that the Duke of Sussex invited King Charles, Prince William Kate Middleton, for the Service of Thanksgiving commemorating a decade of Invictus, which they did not attend.
Prince Harry and Meghan’s busy itinerary in Nigeria includes a stop at a military hospital for Harry, a reception with military families, a Women in Leadership event co-hosted by Meghan, a basketball clinic, polo fundraiser and more.
For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on People.
Fullscreen button
AP Photo/Sunday Alamba Meghan Markle and Prince Harry visit children at the Lights Academy in Abuja, Nigeria, Friday, May 10, 2024.
AP Photo/Sunday Alamba Meghan Markle and Prince Harry visit children at the Lights Academy in Abuja, Nigeria, Friday, May 10, 2024. © Provided by People
Fullscreen button
Andrew Esiebo/Getty Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visit Lightway Academy on May 10, 2024 in Abuja, Nigeria.
Andrew Esiebo/Getty Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visit Lightway Academy on May 10, 2024 in Abuja, Nigeria. © Provided by People
Fullscreen button
Andrew Esiebo/Getty Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visit Lightway Academy on May 10, 2024 in Abuja, Nigeria.
Andrew Esiebo/Getty Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visit Lightway Academy on May 10, 2024 in Abuja, Nigeria. © Provided by People
Fullscreen button
Emma McIntyre/Getty David Oyelowo, Misan Harriman and Meghan Markle speak at a screening of The After on Nov. 15, 2023, in Montecito, California.
Emma McIntyre/Getty David Oyelowo, Misan Harriman and Meghan Markle speak at a screening of The After on Nov. 15, 2023, in Montecito, California. © Provided by People
Fullscreen button
AP Photo/Sunday Alamba Meghan Markle and Prince Harry visit children at the Lights Academy in Abuja, Nigeria, Friday, May 10, 2024.
AP Photo/Sunday Alamba Meghan Markle and Prince Harry visit children at the Lights Academy in Abuja, Nigeria, Friday, May 10, 2024. © Provided by People
Related video: Meghan Markle’s Popularity Surges (Newsweek)
View on WatchView on Watch
Expand article logo Continue reading
PeopleVisit People
Meghan Markle Recalls Emotional Moment with Daughter Princess Lilibet: ‘I Hung onto Those Words’
Octogenarians Have Fostered Over 150 Kids — and Are Currently Caring for 8-Month-Old Boy: ‘We’ve Loved Them All’
Reese Witherspoon’s White Shorts Are a Summer Staple You Should Be Stocking Up on Now
Sponsored Content
How To Borrow From Your Home Without Touching Your MortgageHow To Borrow From Your Home Without Touching Your Mortgage
Get Paid $200 by Signing Up for This New Card. (Yeah, Seriously)Get Paid $200 by Signing Up for This New Card. (Yeah, Seriously)
Borrow from Your Home, Not the Bank (e.g. $25k for $166/mo)Borrow from Your Home, Not the Bank (e.g. $25k for $166/mo)
Card pauses interest until nearly 2026 (with 2% cash back)Card pauses interest until nearly 2026 (with 2% cash back)
More for You
Prince Harry and Meghan arrive in Nigeria for three-day visit
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have landed for their three-day trip to Nigeria, starting the day holding hands as they visited a school. The couple, who both wore necklaces of large beads, were welcomed by waiting lines of schoolchildren at the Lights Academy in Abuja. Meghan told students they were “honoured” to be visiting Nigeria. “We believe in…
Prince Harry and Meghan arrive in Nigeria for three-day visit The Telegraph
9
5
more
Prince William Was Reportedly “Upset and Angry” About the Kate Middleton RumorsPrince William Was Reportedly “Upset and Angry” About the Kate Middleton Rumors InStyle
162
55
more
The Kardashians have arrived at the Met Gala, here’s what they’re wearingThe Kardashians have arrived at the Met Gala, here’s what they’re wearing Indy 100
1
more
00:44
Prince Harry hugs family as he is supported by Princess Diana’s brother and sister at Invictus Games ceremony The Independent
333
7
more
01:43
UK’s Queen Camilla feeds horses and donkeys at Buckingham Palace charity reception The Associated Press
44
2
more
01:06
Watch: Damian Lewis gives impassioned reading of Invictus poem in support of Prince Harry Dailymotion
more
The new earring styles loved by Queen Camilla and MeghanThe new earring styles loved by Queen Camilla and Meghan The Telegraph
7
2
more
How To Borrow From Your Home Without Touching Your MortgageHow To Borrow From Your Home Without Touching Your Mortgage
Get Paid $200 by Signing Up for This New Card. (Yeah, Seriously)Get Paid $200 by Signing Up for This New Card. (Yeah, Seriously)
The Spice Girls Reunite on Victoria Beckham’s Birthday With Impromptu ‘Mama’ PerformanceThe Spice Girls Reunite on Victoria Beckham’s Birthday With Impromptu ‘Mama’ Performance Billboard
19
more
Nigeria’s powerful ex-minister charged with corruptionNigeria’s powerful ex-minister charged with corruption BBC
18
more
00:56
Invictus Games will last ‘as long as it’s serving a purpose’ – Duke of Sussex Daily Mail
3
more
Meghan Markle’s American Riviera Orchard Line: All We Know So FarMeghan Markle’s American Riviera Orchard Line: All We Know So Far Women’s Health
18
10
more
The Archbishop of Canterbury addresses Royal Family rift: ‘They need to be prayed for’The Archbishop of Canterbury addresses Royal Family rift: ‘They need to be prayed for’ USA TODAY
13
more
