Meghan Markle’s wardrobe for her three-day visit to Nigeria seemed to be full of sentimental options, and she continued that theme with today’s outfit.
The Duchess of Sussex, 42, appeared to be wearing a traditional Nigerian skirt given to her during a reception in Abuja on Saturday as she landed in Lagos with Prince Harry this morning.
Striped in white and blue, the maxi garment was made of aso oke, a handwoven material from southwestern Nigeria, according to the bbc.
The skirt was a gift from Abike Dabiri Erewa, chairman of the Nigerian Diaspora Commission, who presented the Duke and Duchess with traditional his-and-hers aso oke outfits at a reception at the Nigerian Defense Headquarters.
Meghan’s choice of outfit comes after the mother-of-two, who recently discovered she is “43 percent Nigerian,” thanked an audience in Abuja on Saturday for welcoming her and her husband to “my country “.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle landed in Lagos today on their ‘quasi-royal’ tour
The Sussexes landed in Lagos this morning as part of their “quasi-royal” tour after spending two days in Abuja, where the couple were harassed at a sitting volleyball match.
Meghan paired her traditional long skirt with a white Carolina Herrera shirt and stylish sunglasses.
To add a touch of sparkle to her ensemble, she opted for chunky gold earrings and dazzling sandals.
Her makeup was perfectly glamorous, while her hair was styled in a trendy half-up, half-down hairstyle.
Meanwhile, Harry sported sunglasses, a beige jacket and a white shirt, as they shook hands with military dignitaries lining the runway.
The couple, visiting Nigeria together for the first time, cheered and gasped as they were greeted with a dance performance. Today they will reportedly visit a school that is supported by their Archewell Foundation.
They will then attend a cultural reception and then a polo fundraiser in aid of Nigeria Unconquered.
The visit is primarily aimed at promoting the Invictus Games and comes after Harry met the Nigerian team and General Musa at last year’s competition in Dusseldorf, Germany.
Meghan appeared to be wearing an outfit made from aso oke, a fabric handwoven in southwestern Nigeria, which she had been gifted at a lavish lunch yesterday.
The skirt was a gift from Abike Dabiri Erewa, chairman of the Nigerian Diaspora Commission, who presented the Duke and Duchess with traditional his-and-hers aso oke outfits at a reception at the Nigerian Defense Headquarters.
Meghan paired the blue skirt with a simple white shirt and sported a pair of dark sunglasses.
They arrived in Abuja on Friday for a 72-hour tour of the country after flying together following a secret meeting in London.
During her two-day stay in the capital, Meghan thanked Nigerians for welcoming her to “my country,” and hopes she can “do justice” to being a “role model.”
The Duchess of Sussex arrived almost an hour late Women at a leadership summit wearing a red spaghetti strap dress without their husband, Prince Harry.
She told the audience: ‘I want to start by thanking you very much for the kindness you have been in welcoming my husband and I to this country… my country.’
She also added: “I feel flattered, honored and inspired.” It’s been a whirlwind 24 hours since we arrived, and I quickly got the note that I need to wear more color, so I can fit in with all of you and your amazing fashion.’
When asked how she felt after discovering she was 43% Nigerian through a genealogy test, Meghan said the first thing she did was “call my mom, because I wanted to know if she was aware of it.”
Meghan continued: ‘Being African American, part of that is not knowing much about your lineage or your background, where you come from specifically.
‘And it was exciting for both of us to find out more and understand what that really means. Never in a million years would I have understood it as much as I do now.
Meghan was photographed greeting young children taking part in sporting events.
Harry looked dapper in a white shirt and beige casual jacket, which he teamed with loafers and dark sunglasses.
Meghan and Harry stood by as the youngsters took part in a game of wheelchair basketball.
The couple posed with t-shirts with the slogan ‘Meghan dream big’ and an image of the African continent
Prince Harry smiled as he shook hands with a young woman holding a basketball before her sports session.
“It’s been really eye-opening and humbling to be able to learn more about my heritage and to be able to know that this is just the beginning of that discovery.”
Describing Nigerian women as “brave, resilient, courageous, powerful and beautiful”, Meghan said: “It’s the most flattering thing to be in that company, to be in your company.”
She also added: ‘I often find that no matter what trips I have taken, no matter whether it is Nigeria or another country in the world, many times when women reach the pinnacle of success, they leave.
But you have to go home. At least you need to be a familiar face so that the next generation will say, “Oh, she looks like me, and I can be that.”
“And I think that’s a really key piece in all of this… It’s defined by, and yet you always want to come home, because that’s how you’re going to help change any kind of generational pattern that can be suffocating.” , especially for young girls who need to see someone who looks like them in the same position.
The Duchess of Sussex pictured co-hosting a Women in Leadership event
The Duchess of Sussex walks alongside Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (right), Director-General of the World Trade Organization.
Meghan speaks during an event in Abuja, Nigeria, on Saturday
After being told by a moderator that she had “come home,” Meghan responded: “I hope I can do justice to the role model that I think so many young women deserve to have.”
‘Obviously, in front of all of you here, I know you see that. But being able to be a small part of that means a lot.”