Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Nigeria Trip Dubbed a ‘Faux Royal Tour’ — and There Could Be More
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle spent a few days in Nigeria during the first half of May, and while their trip had nothing to do with the royal family, it was strikingly similar to a royal tour. Harry and Meghan were exploring the country on behalf of Nigeria becoming a part of Prince Harry’s Invictus Games, and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex also talked about youth mental health while there.
But some critics are dubbing the couple’s visit a “faux royal tour” and claim that there could be more where this one came from.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Nigeria visit dubbed ‘faux royal tour’
Royal tours are taken by working members of the royal family. They’re a way for the royals to connect with different people and cultures across the world. The tours are often filled with charitable visits, entertainment unique to the location, and plenty of chances to meet royal fans from overseas. Harry and Meghan’s Nigeria trip had all the makings of a royal tour without the name attached — even from the moment they were greeted by Nigerian government officials after stepping off the plane.
Royal expert Gareth Russell told The Sun that he thinks Harry and Meghan will set up more of these “faux royal tours” in the future as a way to re-establish their image within the
United States and around the world. He referred to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex by saying “an alternative royal family is emerging.”
“The problem for the Sussexes is that once you start doing anything like that, people become a lot more critical of what you do outside that — like commercial endeavors or quasi-royal tours,” Russell said of Harry and Meghan working on their image. “People will put them under more of a microscope because they’re calling it ‘The Office of Harry and Meghan.’”
What’s next for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle?
Harry continues to focus on the Invictus Games; he is now launching a winter Invictus Games; the inaugural event will take place in Vancouver, British Columbia. Harry has remained steadfast and passionate about the Games since their inception in 2014, and it’s become his greatest project since he and Meghan stepped back from their working royal roles.
Meghan, on the other hand, is continuing her philanthropic work alongside Harry but also is getting her feet wet in the lifestyle space. The duchess recently soft-launched some jam from her new brand, American Riviera Orchard, and she supposedly has a cooking show coming Netflix.
Harry and Meghan continue to raise their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, in Montecito, California, while they build their respective brands.
