In a move that has drawn heavy criticism, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, recently visited Nigeria. The royal couple’s decision to travel to the West African nation has been met with backlash from several prominent British journalists and royal supporters.
Kevin O’Sullivan, a presenter on TalkTV, was particularly vocal in his disapproval of the visit. He stated that “Nigeria doesn’t deserve endorsement from anyone, especially members of the royal family.” O’Sullivan argued that the country, which faces issues such as rampant female genital mutilation and the regular kidnapping of children by extremist groups, is not worthy of the royal family’s attention.
Similarly, royal correspondent and expert Michael Cole echoed these sentiments, calling Nigeria a “dangerous destination” that the Foreign Office and the American State Department have both advised against visiting. Cole also raised concerns about the “industrial scale” of internet fraud and identity theft that plagues the country, stating that these crimes “are never prosecuted.”
The royal couple’s decision to visit Nigeria has also drawn criticism from another British journalist, Christopher Wilson, who faced backlash for comparing Nigerians to Nazis due to the royal visit.
While the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were in Nigeria to celebrate the Invictus Games, a tournament for wounded soldiers founded by Prince Harry, their trip has been met with significant opposition from those who argue that the country does not deserve the royal family’s endorsement.
The controversy surrounding the royal visit to Nigeria highlights the complexities and sensitivities surrounding the use of the monarchy’s influence and the perception of certain nations on the global stage.
