Meghan delights locals as she poses for selfies on ‘quasi-royal’ African tour while Prince Harry enjoys volleyball with wounded soldiers – as fans say ‘the whole country melted’ when duchess revealed her Nigerian heritage
Meghan mania continued in Nigeria as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended a sitting volleyball match and were mobbed by fans.
The visit – which has become a royal tour in all but name – is part of Harry’s Invictus Game project and he delighted onlookers when he took part in a game.
However unfortunately his Nigeria Unconquered team ended up losing 21-25 to the Chief of Defence staff squad with all the players being wounded military personnel.
But it was Meghan who really sparked mayhem as she turned up in an embroidered £2,275 Joanna Ortiz Tropicana Nights dress, patterned with black and white palm leaves as she tried to beat the 35c heat and humidity.
The outdoor volleyball match at the Officers Mess was their first official engagement on Saturday and once again the couple were the centre of attention.
Meghan was happy to pose for selfies – at one point being lost amongst the crowd – and some were even reduced to tears after meeting her.
The Sussex Squad – a group of Harry and Meghan fans – were out in force as they cheered the Duke and Duchess on their arrival just before midday.
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan at a sitting volleyball exhibition match today in Abuja, Nigeria
Harry hears as he urges on the Invictus athletes – as Meghan looks delighted beside him
Harry’s Nigeria Unconquered team ended up losing 21-25 to the Chief of Defence staff squad with all the players being wounded military personnel
Meghan was left thrilled as she was presented with a painting by her adoring young fans
The Duchess joyfully posed with onlookers – including one young girl, dressed up smartly in a white dress and matching bow
The Duke was all smiles as he got stuck in and battled hard in front of a delighted audience
Members of the Nigeria Unconquered team can be seen here on the left, dressed in yellow, while players on the Chief of Defence staff squad are seen wearing black
It was Meghan who really sparked mayhem as she turned up in a strip Joanna Ortiz shoulder less dress to beat the 35c heat and humidity
Meghan has earned the love of her hosts – with one group of fans holding up placards reading ’43 % Nigerian’ in a nod to Meghan’s recent admission of her west African heritage
Harry is seen giving a slight smirk, while sitting next to Meghan who appears to have a huge grin on her face
One adoring fan holds a sign reading 43% Nigerian in a nod to Meghan’s recent admission of her west African heritage
Many of the players – who included men and women – were amputees and Meghan looked on clapping and cheering as Harry and his team. Pictured: Harry and Meghan pose up with their hosts
One adoring fan holds a copy of Harry’s memoir spare – maybe she was lucky enough to get it signed by the Prince himself
Aptly named Royalty Ojeh, six, was chosen to present a stem of roses to Meghan who pulled one out of the bunch and handed it back to the awe-struck little girl.
As they arrived there were loud cheers from a group of fans holding up placards reading ’43 % Nigerian’ in a nod to Meghan’s recent admission of her west African heritage.
Others jokingly said ‘Harry you owe us dowry’ with London based Michela Rituc explaining;’ It’s traditional for dowry and Meghan is Nigerian so he owes us.
‘When she announced her heritage, I already knew it you can just tell from the mother’s face and the grandmother’s face, definitely eastern Nigerian.
‘The features say it all and the whole country melted when she said it, she is our daughter, our daughter and we couldn’t be happier.
‘We have always loved Meghan, ever since we saw her in Suits and we are so happy she has come home to visit us.’
As he took to the pitch to join in with Invictus game board member David Wisey, Harry took off a green and white Nigerian scarf he had been given before enthusiastically joining in.
Sitting on the ground he joined the Nigeria Unconquered team for a huddle and motivational high five before getting stuck in.
Harry delighted fans as he took part in the sitting volleyball exhibition match – even if he wasn’t able to fend off his opponents’ victory
Meghan appeared in close conversation with her hosts as she watched Harry play, wearing a huge grin
The couple looked focused as they watched on at the sitting volleyball exhibition match in the Nigerian capital
In one adorable moment, Meghan exchanged a red rose with one young fan, who shyly met the Duches
Harry and Meghan are seen greeting doting fans as they arrived for the seated volleyball exhibition match in Nigeria
The outdoor volleyball match at the Officers Mess was their first official engagement on Saturday and once again the couple were the centre of attention
Harry was seen getting stuck into the sitting volleyball game although in the end his team suffered a narrow defeat
Harry pictured with his Nigeria Unconquered team who ended up losing 21-25 to the Chief of Defence staff squad
Prince Harry was in awe of the skills on show at the volleyball match in Nigeria today
Harry and Meghan can be seen watching a volley ball game on the sidelines as they were surrounded by adoring fans
Prince Harry is seen taking part in one of the seated volleyball matches with other players
Harry was seen in suspense as he waited for a member of his team to serve the ball from behind him
Sitting on the ground he joined the Nigeria Unconquered team for a huddle and motivational high five before getting stuck in
Harry appears to shout with another member of the Nigerian volleyball teams as he poses for a picture with some of the players and fans
Harry and Meghan smile for the camera as they take a photo with a group of volleyball players and charmed fans
Many of the players – who included men and women – were amputees and Meghan looked on clapping and cheering as Harry and his team.
But it was the Nigerian Chief of Defence staff team who took the match and there were smiles and hugs all round at the end as Harry and Meghan met the players.
As with the defence headquarters meeting on Friday at times there were chaotic scenes as Meghan was engulfed by excited fans in pop star style scenes.
Harry – who at times appeared concerned – continually cast a vigilant eye towards his wife as their US and American security team tried to keep control.
After the match the couple were ushered into a side room where they had a wardrobe change for a lunch with the Nigerian chief of defence staff Christopher Musa.
Wearing a shoulder less St Agni full length white dress Meghan drew gasps from onlookers as she walked into the officers mess for the reception.
Harry had a cream linen suit and joked with one guest who was wearing a black tuxedo: ‘Love your jacket. I want it.’
After being seated the British and Nigerian national anthems were played with the couple facing a stage decorated with red, white and blue balloons.
Guests at the lunch were able to choose from five different menus including special fried rice, fish fillet sauce and jollof rice.
There was cow offal with offada sauce or if you they were reluctant to try the traditional Nigerian menu they could opt for spaghetti bolognese or grilled chicken.
A dance troupe entertained guests with music and rhythmic drumming with Harry and Meghan tapping and swaying to the beat.
A giant poster on the stage was perhaps not the best choice as it featured a rather stern looking Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
A source close to the couple told MailOnline: ‘They are so happy to be in Nigeria and having a great time. Everyone has been so welcoming towards them and they are really feeling the warmth of the people.
‘As far as they are concerned it’s been a fantastic trip and they couldn’t be happier.’
Harry – who at times appeared concerned – continually cast a vigilant eye towards his wife as their US and American security team tried to keep control
Harry and Meghan have a four-person security team for their 72-hour visit to Nigeria for which they have paid themselves as well as additional protection provided by the west African country
The Sussex Squad – a group of Harry and Meghan fans – were out in force as they cheered the Duke and Duchess on their arrival just before midday
As they arrived there were loud cheers from a group of fans holding up placards reading ’43 % Nigerian’ in a nod to Meghan’s recent admission of her west African heritage
As he took to the pitch to join in with Invictus game board member David Wisey, Harry took off a green and white Nigerian scarf he had been given before enthusiastically joining in
After the match the couple were ushered into a side room where they had a wardrobe change for a lunch with the Nigerian chief of defence staff Christopher Musa. Meghan wowed guests with this shoulder less St Agni full length white dress
Meghan seemed engaged in a delightful conversation with one of the party guests
Meghan is pictured stodd next to five other female dinner guests as she attended a lunch with Minister of Defence in Abuja Nigeria
Harry was also pictured at the event wearing a cream linen suit
On Sunday the couple will travel to Lagos where they will watch a basketball match and also attend a fundraising event at the city’s polo ground before returning to Britain on Monday and onwards to California.
The spectacle comes as the couple enjoy the second day of their 72-hour tour of the African nation, the day after Harry and Meghan delighted schoolchildren when they visited the Wuse Lightway Academy.
Harry spoke to a group of pupils at the school – which is supported by the couple’s Archewell Foundation – about mental health, and referenced when someone has ‘lost a loved one in your family and you don’t know who to turn to or who to speak to’.
The Duke – who was 12 and his brother William 15 when Diana died in Paris in 1997 – added that there was ‘no shame to be able to acknowledge that today is a bad day’,
He also told the children: ‘You can have it, she (Meghan) can have it, I can have it. They can have it. Every single one of us is likely to have it on any given day.’
The couple flew in together just before 5am following a secret reunion at London Heathrow’s VIP Windsor Suite on Thursday after the Duchess arrived from Los Angeles.
They then boarded the British Airways overnight flight to Abuja, which was slightly delayed after the scheduled pilot went sick and a replacement had to be scrambled.
The Sussexes, visiting Nigeria together for the first time, were seated in the first class section of the Boeing 777 and were kept apart from other passengers by a curtain.
It comes after Harry said it was ‘great’ to be back in the UK this week to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. The Duke had been in London since Tuesday to attend events relating to the competition including a thanksgiving service.
