Prince Harry and Meghan Markle beam with delight as they receive traditional Nigerian gift

Meghan Markle beamed with delight as she and Prince Harry were gifted a traditional Nigerian outfit.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended a Sit Out at the Nigerian Defence Headquarters in Abuja on May 11, as part of their visit to the country to help celebrate the Invictus Games anniversary. Dressed in a simple figure-hugging white bandeau dress, Meghan appeared delighted as she soaked up the culture of the event.

She wore her hair in a sleek updo and accessorised with an array of jewellery including a sparkling cross pendant worn around her neck. Harry meanwhile complimented her look in a cream linen suit worn with a white shirt and dark-coloured tie as they greeted guests before taking their seats, which notably referred to their Royal roots and were labelled “Duke” and “Duchess” instead of using their first names.

The Sussexes were invited to Nigeria by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who met Harry last September at the Invictus Games in Düsseldorf, Germany. Their invite came after Meghan found out about her Nigerian heritage.

The outing comes after Harry gave a moving speech about mental health while the couple visited a school on Friday. Speaking to the children and addressing the room, the Duke said: “In some places around the world, more than you would believe, there is a stigma against mental health. Too many people don’t want to talk about it because it’s invisible, it’s in your mind and we can’t see it.”

He added: “There is no shame to be able to acknowledge that today is a bad day. Okay? If you woke up this morning feeling sad, if you left school feeling stressed, if you’ve lost a loved one in your family who you usually turn to or speak to, all of these things you may be led to believe are not for conversation.

“We are here today to tell you that that is not the case. Every single one of those things is completely normal. It is a human reaction, whether it’s grief, stress, whatever the feeling is, it comes from experiences you have had.”

Lynn Carratt from Press Box PR said told the Mirror the couple would likely want to “generate some positive stories” during their trip, with their security at the forefront of their minds. She explained: “Nigeria is a country where Meghan and Harry are celebrated, and they’ll want to generate some positive stories for the visit. I’m sure as they are with any overseas trip to any country, security will be [at] the forefront of their mind and will be meticulously planned.”

The Sussexes’ trip to West Africa comes after Harry jetted from America to the UK for a service of thanksgiving for the Invictus Games on May 8 in London. Harry gave a speech and was supported by his aunt and uncle during his brief visit, which came as his father was “too busy” to meet with him.