Meghan Markle declares Nigeria as ‘my country’ during visit with Prince Harry

Meghan Markle has referred to Nigeria as “my country” as she opened up about her background during an engagement over the weekend.

On Saturday, the Duchess of Sussex co-hosted a Women in Leadership event with Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, director general of the World Trade Organization.

During the talk, the mom of two said that it has been “eye-opening” and “humbling” to learn more about her heritage during her and Prince Harry’s three-day trip.

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, speaking at an event in Abuja, Nigeria, in a red dress while holding a microphone5
Meghan Markle has lovingly referred to Nigeria as “my country” as she opened up about her heritage. AP
“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, 42, said at the event.

“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,” she added.

The “Suits” alum opened up about what it has been like to delve into her background.

“Never in a million years would I understand it as much as I do now,” she told the audience.

“And what has been echoed so much in the past day is, ‘Oh, we are not so surprised when we found out you are Nigerian.’ “

Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, visit Lights Academy and interact with children in Abuja, Nigeria, promoting Invictus Games5
Markle said that it’s been “eye-opening” to learn more about her background during her and Prince Harry’s three-day trip. AP
“It is a compliment to you, because what they define as a Nigerian woman is brave, resilient, courageous, beautiful,” the former actress added.

At one point, the audience was asked to come up with a Nigerian name for Markle.

One person suggested “Ifeoma” — a name from the Igbo tribe which means “a treasured thing.”

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, sitting beside Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization, at an event in Abuja, Nigeria5
The “Suits” alum opened up about what it’s been like to delve into her background, adding that the experience has been “humbling.” AP
BabaJide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos state governor, welcoming Meghan Markle, during the Invictus Games event in Nigeria, 2024.5
Markle discovered her Nigerian roots back in 2022. AP
Another said “Omowale” — a name originating from the Yoruba tribe which means “the child has come home.”

On Sunday, the couple traveled from the capital city of Abuja to Lagos and were greeted by the state governor, local dancers and well-wishers on their final day.

“Today is Mother’s Day [in America]. So 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,” Markle said.

In 2022, Markle told her “Archetypes” podcast listeners that she had recently discovered she was “43% Nigerian” after completing an ancestry test.

And at the opening ceremony of last year’s Invictus Games in Germany, Harry made reference to his wife’s heritage.

Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, posing with children at Dream Big Basketball clinic in Lagos Nigeria, as part of the Invictus Games event5
The Sussexes were invited to Nigeria by the West African country’s chief of defense staff. AP
“Now, I’m not saying we play favorites in our home, but since my wife discovered she is of Nigerian descent, it’s likely to get a little bit more competitive this year,” he said at the time.

The Sussexes, who quit royal life in 2020, were invited to Nigeria by the West African country’s chief of defense staff — its highest-ranking military official.