Spouse of Prince Henry - Nigeria Journey: Duchess Meghan Adopts New Identity - What It Signifies
The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan, has penned a heartfelt note expressing thanks to King Oluwo of Iwo for making her feel at home during their recent visit to Nigeria in May. In the letter, which was shared on the King's Instagram page, she expresses her profound gratitude for receiving a Nigerian name, Adetokunbo, meaning "crown from a foreign land."
The royal couple, along with Prince Harry, embarked on a three-day trip to Nigeria at the invitation of the Nigerian military. They were treated like royalty in certain areas of the country and took the chance to learn more about Meghan's Nigerian heritage. It was during this visit that Duchess Meghan met King Oluwo of Iwo, who gifted her with the Yoruba moniker.
Duchess Meghan's heartfelt letter to the Yoruba King
The Duchess penned a note on May 23, 2023, expressing her heartfelt gratitude for the warm welcome received in Nigeria. King Oluwo posted the letter on his Instagram page for his 174,000 followers to see.
Her letter states, "Thank you so much for your warm welcome in Nigeria. I am deeply humbled by your blessing of the traditional Yoruba name Adetokunbo. I cherish the name and cherish your trust in me to carry it with grace and dignity. Our visit to Nigeria was crucial for various reasons, not the least of which was discovering the heritage that extends to our children."
The 42-year-old concluded her message with optimism, "We eagerly anticipate returning home again."
During their stay in Nigeria, Meghan expressed her gratitude to the Nigerians for embracing her "in my country." She also attended a summit for female leaders, pledging to live up to their example. When she found out about her 43% Nigerian ancestry through a DNA test, she immediately reached out to her mother to share the news.
The Sussexes' visit to Nigeria promotes the Invictus Games
The primary purpose of the Sussexes' visit to Nigeria was to promote the Invictus Games. Prince Harry established this event, and in 2023, the Nigerian team participated in the competition that took place in Düsseldorf. The Nigerian military appreciated the games as a great way to facilitate the rehabilitation process for soldiers who have been battling against Boko Haram and its factions since 2009.
While in Nigeria, Meghan and Harry announced a partnership between their Archewell Foundation and the Geanco Foundation, a charity that supports the health of mothers and grants scholarships to female victims of violence.
