Meghan Markle and Prince Harry visited a school in Nigeria where Meghan gave a speech about their daughter Lilibet. During the visit, they were criticized for acting and being treated as if they were still working royals, despite stepping down from royal duties in 2020. Meghan shared an anecdote about Lilibet during her speech, which drew eye-rolls from royal watchers. Critics found the couple’s behavior peculiar given their previous sentiments about the royal family.
Maureen Callahan, a royal pundit, blasted Harry for standing at attention during the national anthem as he inspected troops at the Nigerian Defence Headquarters, despite being stripped of his military titles upon leaving the royal family. Meghan’s story about Lilibet, who is only two years old, was questioned for its authenticity by Callahan. Critics have voiced their disapproval of Harry’s actions during the trip, labelling them as cringy and inappropriate for a non-working royal.
The couple’s visit to Nigeria was part of a trip to promote the Invictus Games and raise funds for charity. Meghan’s speech at Lightway Academy focused on seeing oneself in others and how Lilibet’s comment about seeing her reflection in Meghan’s eyes resonated with her. However, critics like Callahan found Meghan’s focus on personal anecdotes during the trip to be self-centered and questioned the purpose of the visit. Meghan’s narrative about Lilibet was met with skepticism due to the young age of their daughter.
Despite facing criticism, not everyone found fault with Harry inspecting the troops, with some supporters praising his actions. Harry’s military titles were stripped when he left the royal family in 2020, but he continues to be involved in initiatives like the Invictus Games. The couple’s trip to Nigeria raised concerns about their perceived status as working royals, despite their decision to step back from official duties. The visit highlighted ongoing controversy surrounding Meghan and Harry’s public image and their interactions with traditional royal protocols.
