Meghan Markle, Prince Harry attend polo match on final leg of Nigeria trip

Meghan Markle has wowed onlookers in a slinky dress as she and Prince Harry continue to turn on the charm in Nigeria.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have wrapped up their three-day charm offensive in Nigeria on familiar ground by attending a charity polo match.

In her third wardrobe change of the day, Meghan brought a touch of Hollywood glamour to the prestigious polo club in Lagos during the pair’s visit, which has been described as a quasi royal tour.

All eyes were on the Duchess of Sussex as she arrived at the event in a gold halter-neck dress with a plunging neckline, accessorised with huge black sunglasses.

Meghan Markle brings her Hollywood glamour to a charity polo game at the Ikoyi Polo Club in Lagos. Picture: AFP

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle watch the match. Picture: AFP

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry with Nigeria Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Musa after the polo match. Picture: AFP

The royal pair present a medal to a young man after the charity polo match. Picture: AFP

After taking their seats, the couple watched a parade of young children carrying the green and white flag of Nigeria, followed by more children on horseback.

The reception was in support of Nigeria Unconquered, a charity dedicated to empowering wounded warriors through sports and rehabilitation programs.

The Sussexes have proven wildly popular during their visit to Nigeria — which has been likened to a royal tour for its stately receptions and excitable crowds — after Prince Harry’s frosty reception from the royal family during his whirlwind visit to the UK.

In a cute touch, the two teams for the polo match were named Duke and Duchess, with the latter winning the match 5-3.

The Sussexes greet children after the polo match. Picture: Getty Images

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry visit Giants of Africa at Ilupeju Senior Grammar School. Picture: Getty Images

Prince Harry chats to a student at Ilupeju Senior Grammar School. Picture: Getty Images

The royal takes part in a basketball exhibition training match at the school. Picture: AFP

Meghan and Prince Harry awarded medals to the players after the match before the royal delivered an impromptu speech expressing gratitude for the hospitality at the club and throughout the West African nation.

Earlier in the day, the Sussexes visited the Ilupeju Grammar Senior Grammar School where a basketball event was held by the Giants of Africa Foundation, an organisation helping youth through engagement in the sport.

The ever-sporty Prince Harry practised dribbling basketballs with children and gave an inspiring speech as he unveiled a new partnership between his and Meghan’s Archewell Foundation and the non-profit Giants of Africa.

MEGHAN’S TRIBUTE TO DIANA

Throughout her trip, Meghan has dazzled onlookers with her style choices, with some royal watchers finding hidden meanings in her dresses and jewellery.

For one appearance, Meghan wore a gold necklace that looked very similar to one Princess Diana once wore while visiting the same African nation.

Meghan paired the gold collar accessory with a cream-coloured top and a white blazer. Princess Diana also chose to wear light colours when she wore her necklace in 1991.

Meghan Markle wore a gold collar necklace similar to that worn by Princess Diana in 1991. Picture: Getty Images

The Duchess of Sussex wears a cross pendant which was thought to have belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales. Picture: Getty Images

Prince Harry complemented his wife by wearing a cream suit. Picture: AFP

Meghan then chose to honour Princess Diana once again by wearing a gold cross necklace that a source told Page Six actually belonged to Prince Harry’s mother.

Meghan accentuated the crucifix by pairing it with a white strapless dress by St Agni.

The couple were invited to a reception hosted by Christopher Musa, the chief of the Nigerian defence staff, in honour of military families.

Prince Harry matched his wife in light-coloured attire, opting for a cream suit.

The couple announced the unveiling of a rehabilitation centre at the reception.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Nigeria Unconquered, a community-based charitable organisation dedicated to aiding wounded, injured, or sick service embers. Picture: Getty Images

Meghan is noted to be a fan of Princess Diana and has drawn influence from her memory and legacy while in the royal orbit.

In May 2023, she was seen wearing Diana’s Cartier watch during a hike, and she is said to wear it most days.

But on Friday, Meghan stirred debate online when she wore a backless peach maxi dress, whose style is known as a “Windsor.”

Royal fans interpreted this as a snub, or perhaps a dig at the non-royal tour that “looked an awful lot like a royal tour,” according to Sky News’s Caroline Di Russo.

On Sunday, which was Mother’s Day in the US and Australia, Meghan stepped out in the same yellow maxi dress she wore for Prince Archie’s first birthday party in 2020.

The Duchess of Sussex paired the bright gown with nude slingback heels for a reception at the State Governor House in Lagos, Nigeria, on Sunday.

Meghan Markle, and Prince Harry arrive at the State Governor House in Lagos as they visit Nigeria. Picture: AFP

Meghan wore a bright yellow maxi dress on Mother’s Day that she had last worn at Archie’s birthday. Picture: AFP

It comes as King Charles offered to put up his son Prince Harry in a royal residence on his UK trip but the Duke of Sussex turned it down, friends have claimed.

Prince Harry instead stayed at a London hotel last week during his whirlwind trip back to mark the 10th anniversary of his Invictus Games.

The royal attended the St Paul’s cathedral service while just kilometres away his father hosted the Buckingham Palace Garden Party.

Prince Harry was offered a royal residence during his UK visit, sources claim. Picture: Getty Images

Father and son, however, did not reunite due to the King's busy schedule and no members of the royal family attended Prince Harry’s event.

Instead, his late mother Princess Diana’s side of the family, the Spencers, were out in force to support him.

Sources have told The Sunday Times that King Charles had agreed to let his distant son stay in a royal residence for the trip - but the offer was turned down.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visit Nigeria Unconquered, a charity organisation that works in collaboration with the Invictus Games Foundation. Picture: Getty Images

Meghan Markle has thanked the people of Nigeria. Picture: AFP

Insiders close to His Majesty alleged it would have been more practical for Prince Harry to stay in a royal residence.

Friends close to the California-based royal, however, said he did his best to arrange seeing his father before the trip.

It came as Meghan Markle thanked Nigerians for welcoming her to “my country” as she continued her visit to the county with Prince Harry.

The Duchess of Sussex has opened up about her Nigerian heritage. Picture: Getty Images

The Duchess of Sussex, who recently discovered she is “43 per cent Nigerian”, wowed crowds at leadership summit in a red dress after arriving solo.

She told the audience: “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.”

She also added: “I am just flattered and honoured 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 colour, so I can fit in with all of you and your incredible fashion.”

Meghan said she was excited to find out she had Nigerian heritage.

She said: “Being African-American, part of it is really not knowing so much about your lineage or background, where you come from specifically.

“And it was exciting for both of us to discover more and understand what that really means. “Never in a million years would I have understood it as much as I do now.

“It’s been really eye-opening and humbling to be able to know more about my heritage and to be able to know this is just the beginning of that discovery.”

Originally published as Meghan Markle, Prince Harry attend polo match on final leg of Nigeria trip