Meghan Markle has been showered with love from Nigerian fans who welcomed their ‘new princess’ during the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s visit to the nation.
The mother of two was honored on Sunday as an ‘Ada Mazi’ – apparently a title of respect meaning ‘daughter of an aristocrat’ – of the Ancient Arochukwu Kingdom.
Three kings: His Eminence Engr Eberechukwu Oji, Eze Aro of the ancient kingdom of Arochukwu, Igwe Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha and the Great Olu of Warri Kingdom, participated in the naming ceremony.
And well-wishers of the West African country, where Prince Harry and his wife enjoyed a 72-hour tour, have taken to social media to send their congratulations.
‘Princess Meghan is the first of her name! Daughter Doria of OUR blood,’ wrote one in a lively post on X.
Meghan Markle has been showered with love from Nigerian fans who welcomed their ‘new princess’ during the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s visit to the nation.
Another fondly called Meghan “our new princess of the ancient kingdom of Arochukwu.”
Elsewhere, a third wrote: ‘Ok, my native tribe has finally been represented with “Ada Mazi” draping and royal beads.
‘A proud Igbo girl, a proud Anambarian!!!’
Many have also commented on how important the occasion is, given that it is understood that the Kings rarely leave their home state unless it is for a very special event or guest.
In a TikTok shared by Arochukwu Network, a video shows a beaming Meghan giving a thank you speech.
“Thank you very much,” he told the audience. ‘I am very, very grateful, I feel very honoured.
“And today is Mother’s Day, so it seems appropriate – because, of course, we miss our children, I miss my babies – it feels very good to be in the homeland…
‘Thank you very much for the really beautiful titles and names. We can’t wait to come back, thank you very much.”
Three Kings: His Eminence Engr Eberechukwu Oji, Eze Aro of the former Arochukwu Kingdom, Igwe Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha and the Great Olu of Warri Kingdom, participated in the naming ceremony.
Well-wishers of the West African country, where Prince Harry and his wife enjoyed a 72-hour tour, have taken to social media to send their congratulations.
Meghan wore a golden sash representing the title of Ada Mazi and also held a cloth depicting the ‘Oru-Arochukwu’ insignia.
Explaining its symbology, a poster in the forum. Nairaland in 2017 he said: ‘The Omu and the Omu Aro, for the purposes of clarity and better understanding, are not interchangeable.
‘The omu is the young leaf or leaves of the palm tree or the knot, tied from this leaf by the Eze Aro, while the Omu Aro is the insignia or emblem of authority of the Eze Aro.
‘The omu as we have it anywhere in Aro documents, monuments or wrappings has the Omu leaf knotted in the center, with one hand giving it and the other receiving it.’
Arochukwu is one of “one of the most important ancient kingdoms in Africa,” a local newspaper reported. Punchand is located in the north of Abia State.
The Sussexes were invited to the West African nation by its military, and their three-day visit was aimed at promoting soldiers’ mental health and empowering young people.
Prince Harry also spoke to the gathering, describing those in the room as his “in-laws,” adding: “I’m going to skip protocol because we’re all family at this point.”
He continued: ‘Thank you for welcoming my wife and me to Nigeria. It’s our first visit. It certainly won’t be the last. Thank you for the naming ceremony.
“I don’t know how I got dragged into that too, but being able to witness it with my wife as well, it means a lot to both of us, but especially to her, so thank you for that.”
Their visit comes after Meghan revealed on her Archetypes podcast in October 2022 that she discovered through DNA testing that she was “43 percent Nigerian.”
The Sussexes were invited to the West African nation by its military, and their three-day visit was aimed at promoting soldiers’ mental health and empowering young people.
Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu told reporters: “We have extended an additional invitation to them so that they can always come back whenever they want.”
Harry and Meghan arrived in Lagos this weekend, where traditional Nigerian fashion and dances were on full display.
The couple enjoyed different dance sessions, starting at the Lagos airport, where a group’s acrobatic moves left Harry and Meghan clapping and smiling.
Matching Meghan’s white top was the traditional Nigerian aso oke, a printed handwoven fabric that wraps around the waist and is often reserved for special occasions. It was a gift from a group of women a day before.
Meghan pictured at the African Giant Foundation Dream Big Basketball clinic in Lagos this weekend.
The couple visited a local charity, Giants of Africa, which uses basketball to empower young people.
There, they enjoyed another round of dancing before revealing a partnership between the organization and their Archewell Foundation.
“What you guys are doing here at Giants of Africa is truly amazing,” Harry said. ‘The power of sport can change lives. It brings people together and creates community and there are no barriers, which is the most important thing.’
Masai Ujiri, president of the charity and former NBA star, wished Meghan a happy Mother’s Day and acknowledged how difficult it can be “for us to be away from our children and family for things like this to happen.”
“Doing so shows dedication (and) we really appreciate it,” he told the couple.
Later, Meghan and Harry attended a fundraiser for Nigerian soldiers injured in the country’s fight against Islamic extremists and other armed groups in the conflict-hit north of the country.
The event was linked to Harry’s Invictus Games, which Nigeria is looking to host in the future.