Meghan gushes over ‘smart’ Harry on ‘faux-royal’ tour

Meghan Markle has lauded her husband as he spoke about his “bad days” during the couple’s Nigerian tour while also giving a rare insight into Princess Lilibet’s personality.

Meghan Markle has praised her “smart” husband after he spoke about mental heath during the Sussexes “faux-royal” tour of Nigeria.

During a visit to a school in Abuja, Prince Harry opened up about his “bad days”, telling crowds of schoolchildren there’s “no shame” in feeling down.

“There is no shame to be able to acknowledge that today is a bad day, OK?” he told the assembled schoolkids.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle meet with children during their visit at the Lightway Academy in Abuja. Picture: AFP

“That you woke up this morning feeling sad; that you were at school, feeling stressed; that you’ve lost a loved one in your family and you don’t know who to turn to or who to speak to.

“All of these things you may even be led to believe are not for conversation,” he said.

Prince Harry was all smiles after a difficult few days in London. Picture: AFP

“Every single one of those things is completely normal, it is a human reaction, whether it’s grief, stress, whatever the feeling is.”

Ms Markle then gushed over her husband as she took her turn to speak.
“Do you see why I married him? He’s so smart. And so inspiring because he speaks the truth,” she told the class.

The couple were reunited in London before flying to Nigeria. Picture: AFP

“Every single one of you has a story. We all have our story. And there’s no shame in any single one of your stories. Even on the hardest days or darkest days, everything is a pillar of your strength by each of you being there.

“Your teachers see that in you. And we see that in you.”

Ms Markle also shared some rare insights into daughter Princess Lilibet’s personality.

“Interestingly, so does our daughter, Lili; she’s much tinier than you guys, about to turn three.

Meghan Markle takes selfies with ecstatic schoolkids. Picture: AFP

“A few weeks ago, she looked at me and saw her reflection in my eyes. She said, ‘Mama, I see me in you.’“Now, she was talking literally, but I held onto those words in a different way. I thought, yes, I do see me in you, and you see me in you. But as I look around this room, I see myself in all of you as well.”

She also revealed that dance is her daughter’s “favourite class” because of “all the jumping around”.

Prince Harry arrives in Nigeria. Picture: AFP

The Sussexes are also the parents of five-year-old son Prince Archie, with the former actress revealing that their son is interested in “construction”.

The couple have seemingly left their children at home during their trip to Africa.

The trip comes a day after Prince Harry attended an Invictus Games service in London, during a three-day trip where did not see his father or brother.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle watch people dancing as they arrive at the Lightway Academy in Abuja, Nigeria. Picture: AFP

The Sussexes were all smiles as they waved to locals, chatted to leaders and snapped selfies with teens at the Lights Academy in the Nigerian capital Abuja – after having a secret rendezvous in London.

The pair had secretly reunited at London’s Heathrow Airport after flying together with British Airways to the African country at the request of country’s chief of defence staff.

The Nigerian government is paying for their accommodation and facilitating a tour of three African cities.

Meghan Markle was a popular visitor to a Nigerian school. Picture: AFP

The Sussexes were garnered with beaded necklaces and treated to a local dance as they touched down in Abuja, ahead of their tour of the West African country where Ms Markle plans to explore her roots.

Their schedule will take in three cities, “cultural activities” and a visit to a military hospital where they will meet wounded soldiers.

Prince Harry is also keen for the country to host the Invictus games tournament that he set up 10 years ago.

The Duchess of Sussex, who is of African descent, is said to be using the opportunity to discover her ancestry.

Prince Harry gave Nigeria the thumbs up. Picture: AFP

The Nigeria jaunt comes on the heels of Prince Harry spending three days solo in London — and seemingly being snubbed by his father, King Charles who was said to be “too busy” to see him.

Not only did the monarch not have time in his busy schedule to see his youngest son, but he reportedly also ordered all working family members to attend his garden party at the same time as Prince Harry’s Invictus Games service.

Prince Harry and Meghan meet with the Chief of Defence Staff of Nigeria.

Prince Harry and Meghan meet with the Chief of Defence Staff of Nigeria at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.

King Charles’ Buckingham Palace soiree on Wednesday took place only miles away from the prince’s ceremony at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.

The Duke had been in his homeland for three days promoting his Invictus Games tournament and marking the 10th anniversary of his charity, including attending a Thanksgiving Service at St Paul’s Cathedral.

Neither the King and Queen Camilla, nor the Prince of Wales and his wife Catherine, accepted his invitation to join him for the service.

The couple visited a Nigerian school. Picture: AFP

At the service to mark the milestone of the charity Prince Harry founded in 2014 for wounded, injured and sick servicemen, he hailed the “tremendous achievements” and courage of the tournament’s participants over the years to a 1000-strong congregation of predominantly sportsmen and women from the 23 participating nations and support staff.

“We recall, with admiration, the skill and determination of those who seek to repair, rehabilitate and reclaim the lives of those living with serious illness or injury, changing and saving lives,” Prince Harry told guests at the gothic cathedral.

“We acknowledge, with gratitude, the courage and strength of those wounded, injured, or sick servicemen and women who have sought a pathway to recovery, encouraging those who live in darkness by the unconquered light of their spirit,” he said.

Originally published as Meghan gushes over ‘smart’ Harry on ‘faux-royal’ tour