Adoring crowds and polo for Harry and Meghan in Africa

From the moment the Duke and Duchess of Sussex touched down in Nigeria, the format bore a remarkably strong resemblance to a royal tour.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, at a charity polo game at the Ikoyi Polo Club in Lagos on Sunday. Picture: Kola Sulaimon / AFP

From the moment the Duke and Duchess of Sussex touched down in Nigeria, the format bore a remarkably strong resemblance to a royal tour.

Despite missing the key ingredient – a working member of the royal family – a trip to a polo club provided a fitting end to a three-day visit that featured a welcome ceremony, adoring crowds and culture showcases.

The teams at the match at Lagos Polo Club were given as Duke vs Duchess, with the latter winning the match 5-3.

Harry and Meghan were at the club in aid of Nigeria Unconquered, which helps veterans and wounded soldiers through adaptive sports, similarly to the Invictus Games.

After they handed medals to the players, Harry gave an impromptu speech in which he thanked the country for their visit.

Lagos Polo Club President Bode Makanjuola, left, his wife Moyo Makanjuola, Meghan and Harry, and the Nigeria Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Musa and his wife Lilian Musa with children after the charity polo game at the Ikoyi Polo Club in Lagos. Picture: AFP

Team Duke faces team Duchess. Picture: AFP

Harry and Meghan at the Lightway Academy in Abuja on Friday. Picture: Andrew Esiebo/Getty Images for The Archewell Foundation

The trip marks 10 years of the Invictus Games, which Nigeria joined last year. Harry and Meghan, who previously has described her DNA as “43 per cent Nigerian’’, were personally invited by the chief of Nigeria’s defence staff.

Despite similarities to their tours before stepping back as working royals in 2020, there were key differences. The press pack had been replaced by one reporter and one photographer. Most significantly they were representing themselves rather than the monarch and were free to choose their schedule.

There appeared to be fewer formalities and more selfies compared with trips from the past.

The Duke of Sussex gives a speech at the Nigerian Defence Headquarters in Abuja on Saturday. Picture: Kola Sulaimon/ AFP

Harry and Meghan as the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, gives a speech on Sunday. Picture: AFP

Prince Harry meets children at a basketball exhibition training match at Ilupeju Grammar School in Lagos on Sunday. Picture: AFP

Harry and Meghan were welcomed on to the basketball court at a school to hear about Giants of Africa, a charity that organises basketball camps.

The couple were announcing a partnership between the charity and their Archewell Foundation, which uses sport, principally basketball, to empower and engage young people. Harry took part in some drills, and as the event ended took a shot at a hoop and scored.

The couple then met Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos state. Meghan changed into a flowing yellow dress for the meeting.

The previous day at a Women in Leadership event she said: “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.”

The Times