Meghan Markle opens up on ‘best souvenir’ she’s taken home from Nigeria visit

Meghan Markle opened up about the “best souvenir” she brought home with her following her visit to Nigeria last week. The Duchess of Sussex joined her husband Prince Harry on a three-day tour of the African nation to promote the work of the Invictus Games.

To Meghan, the visit also marked an occasion to explore her roots after she revealed a genealogy test had revealed that she is “43 percent Nigerian.” Before returning to California to be reunited with her children, the Duchess told PEOPLE: “It was such warm hospitality and it was a really meaningful trip. It was incredibly memorable and special. “That alone is the best souvenir to take with us – all the memories we’ve made.”

Meghan acknowledged Nigeria as “my country” as she described the “humbling” experience of learning more about her roots after the surprising DNA test results she received a few years back. She said: “Never in a million years would I understand it as much as I do now. And what has been echoed so much in the past day is, ’Oh, we are not so surprised when we found out you are Nigerian’.

“It is a compliment to you because what they define as a Nigerian woman is brave, resilient, courageous, beautiful.” The Duke of Sussex told the American outlet he was excited about being on the ground again, hinting at possible new trips on the cards for him and Meghan. Harry said: “It is hugely important for us to meet directly with people, supporting our causes and listening, in order to bring about solutions, support and positive change.

“There’s only so much one can do from home and over Zoom, so we look forward to travelling more because the work matters. Whether it’s the Archewell Foundation, Invictus or any of our other causes, there will always be reasons to meet the people at the heart of our work.” He also appeared to dismiss suggestions that the visit to Nigeria was an attempt to highlight the gaps he and Meghan could cover on behalf of the Royal Family at a time of great pressure for the institution.

King Charles resumed his public-facing engagements earlier this month after taking a break to undergo cancer treatment following his diagnosis in February. Prince William has also had to reduce his workload after Kate, the Princess of Wales announced she, too, is receiving treatment for cancer.

Other senior members, including Princess Anne and Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh with his wife Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, have increasingly stepped up to the plate to support the King. However, the Royal Family has had to reduce their presence abroad in response to the health issues two of its most senior members have been grappling with.