Prince Harry and Meghan Markle hint there are more quasi-royal African tours in the pipeline
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle hint there are more quasi-royal African tours in the pipeline as they thank Nigeria for 'the first of many memorable trips'
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have hinted that they are planning more quasi-royal tours in future after thanking Nigeria for the 'first of many memorable trips'.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been flying back to California after leaving Abuja yesterday following a three-day visit to the country at the military's invitation.
And the couple hailed their time in Nigeria as 'unforgettable' in a press release on Sussex.com today following the visit related to Harry's Invictus Games competition.
Their statement added: 'The Duke and Duchess would like to extend their deepest gratitude to all the event organisers, military officials and the whole Nigerian community for their tremendous hospitality and the first of many memorable trips.'
But the Sussexes did not mention the news emerging overnight that their Archewell Foundation was listed as 'delinquent' by a US charity regulator. Sources close to the couple claimed last night that this was due to a cheque going missing in the post.
This was the eighth press release issued on Sussex.com about the couple's Nigeria trip which took them to Abuja and Lagos and ran last week from Friday until Sunday.
Harry and Meghan are thought to have flown from Abuja to London Heathrow yesterday before heading onto Los Angeles to be reunited with their children Archie and Lilibet.
Today, in a press release about their trip coming to end, the Sussexes referred to the reception they received in Lagos and their attendance at a polo match.
The statement said: 'Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex concluded their unforgettable trip to Nigeria with a cultural reception in Lagos and a polo match fundraiser for Nigeria: Unconquered.
'The couple was greeted with a beautiful pre-game parade - a vibrant display of young enthusiasts in polo gear, proudly waving the green and white flags of Nigeria - followed by a procession of older children on horseback, setting the tone for a day filled with sport and spirit.
'The friendly rivalry between the teams, aptly named Duke vs Duchess, added a layer of excitement to the event, with the Duchess's team claiming victory with a score of 5-3. The day was capped off with the couple presenting medals, a gesture of appreciation for the players' prolific talent and dedication.
'The Duke and Duchess would like to extend their deepest gratitude to all the event organisers, military officials and the whole Nigerian community for their tremendous hospitality and the first of many memorable trips.'
It follows Harry and Meghan's visit to promote mental health for soldiers and empower young people.
The couple attended events related to Harry's Invictus Games, which Nigeria is seeking to host in future.
The Sussexes were also welcomed at the Lagos State Government House and met military officials at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
Following their trip, Harry and Meghan's Archewell Foundation claimed that a cheque going missing in the post is why a US charity regulator has declared it 'delinquent'.
The Duke and Duchess's organisation is 'not in good standing' according to the Registry of Charities and Fundraisers in California, where the couple live.
The registry said Archewell failed to properly submit its annual report or renewal fees and has banned it from either fundraising or distributing charitable funds for now.
But Sussex sources insist the paperwork was filed on time, with the discrepancy down to a 'cheque' which accompanied the documents going missing in the post.
They also maintain that 'a new cheque has been mailed', which should mean the issue will be 'quickly resolved' - but the revelation will likely cause embarrassment.
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