This is the sweet moment Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were serenaded by a Nigerian gospel singer, who also revealed it was an “honour” to sing for them.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended a special naming ceremony in Lagos on Sunday, where popular singer and songwriter Moses Bliss performed for the couple and other esteemed guests.
Meghan, 42, was honored as an ‘Ada Mazi’ – apparently a title of respect meaning ‘daughter of an aristocrat’ – of the Ancient Arochukwu Kingdom.
Three kings participated in the naming ceremony: 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 the Warri Kingdom.
Throughout the event, the Duke and Duchess stared at the artist before giving him warm applause.
leading to xMoses Bliss, real name Moses Uyoh Enang, shared images of himself smiling alongside the couple, announcing that it was a “moment I will cherish forever.”
This is the sweet moment Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were serenaded by a Nigerian gospel singer, who also revealed it was an “honour” to sing for them.
Popular singer and songwriter Moses Bliss (pictured) performed for the couple and other esteemed guests.
He wrote: “The joy of meeting and singing for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Sussex @sussexroyal today on their inaugural visit to Nigeria and hearing Meghan express her appreciation for my music is a moment I will always cherish.”
The singer, 29, also shared a short video of the performance and sang the praises of the Sussexes while seemingly commenting on the divine love shared between them.
She added: “It was an honor to sing for Prince Harry, Meghan and everyone in attendance.
‘Celebrating love with this song that captures the essence of love as I know it, an answered prayer, a purpose-driven kind of love that can only be sent by the author of love, God.’
The incredible occasion was held in the Nigerian city of Lagos and formed part of the Sussexes’ final engagements for their 72-hour tour.
Meghan and Harry were in great spirits throughout the event as they appeared to listen intently to the song’s lyrics.
Moses Uyoh Enang was born in Akwa Ibom State, Southern Nigeria, and is a famous singer, worship leader and songwriter.
Known as the ‘Voice of Grace’, he is known for writing hit gospel and worship songs.
The singer met the Duchess of Sussex on Sunday when she performed at a special naming ceremony in Lagos.
Moses Bliss sang the praises of Prince Harry and Meghan, adding that it was an “honour” to sing to them.
The singer saw his success reach new heights after he launched the Spotlite Nation record label in February 2023.
He also broke hearts when he announced via social media that he had married his girlfriend Marie Wiseborn in March this year, with two lavish ceremonies taking place in both Abuja and Accra, Ghana.
Meanwhile, Meghan has been showered with love from Nigerian fans who welcomed their ‘new princess’ during the couple’s visit to the nation.
‘Princess Meghan is the first of her name! Doria daughter of OUR blood,” one wrote in a lively post on X. Another lovingly 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 Three Wise Men 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.
Meghan and Harry (pictured in Lagos) were in high spirits throughout the event as they appeared to listen intently to the lyrics of the song.
The event was attended by 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.
“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.”
Meghan wore a golden sash representing the title of Ada Mazi and also held a cloth depicting the ‘Oru-Arochukwu’ insignia.
Explaining their symbology, a poster on the Nairaland forum in 2017 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.
Meghan pictured at the African Giant Foundation Dream Big Basketball clinic in Lagos last weekend.
‘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,” local newspaper Punch reported, and is located in the north of Abia state.
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.
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.
