Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Highlight Youth Advocacy in Nigeria

In a recent visit to Nigeria, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, made a significant impact through their engagement with local communities and charitable organizations. The couple's three-day tour, which took place from May 10 to 13, 2024, was marked by a series of events that highlighted their ongoing commitment to humanitarian causes, particularly those affecting children and veterans.

During their visit, Harry and Meghan made an unannounced stop at Save the Children in Abuja, where they met with staff and youth ambassadors to learn about the organization's efforts in addressing critical issues such as child marriage, gender-based violence, and access to education and healthcare. The event was chaired by Misan Harriman, a global ambassador for Save the Children and a friend of the couple. Harriman, who was born in Nigeria, captured the visit through his lens, adding a personal touch to the documentation of their trip.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's engagement with Save the Children is not new. They previously supported the organization on their son Prince Archie's first birthday in 2020, and their Archewell Foundation has donated funds for humanitarian responses in Nigeria. This visit, however, provided a more hands-on opportunity for the couple to witness the challenges and progress firsthand. According to Save the Children, one in ten children in Nigeria dies before the age of five, and three in ten girls are married by age 18. The organization also highlighted the issue of "zero dose children," who have never received routine vaccinations.

Prince Harry emphasized the importance of youth involvement in advocacy and decision-making during the visit. "This charity recognizes the importance of having young people's voice at the forefront, not just as advocates, but as decision-makers," he said in a video shared by the organization. Youth Ambassador Purity, 19, echoed this sentiment, stating, "We won’t stop, every one of us. Every one of us has a role to play through our advocacy, our voices, our financial support, volunteering."

The couple's tour also included a visit to a local school in Abuja, where they delivered speeches on mental health, a cause they have championed through their Archewell Foundation. Meghan, who recently discovered her Nigerian heritage, expressed a deep connection to the country and its people. "It's really meaningful. Just being able to connect to people... that's what makes it special," she told PEOPLE magazine.

Their visit was not without its challenges. The couple navigated the trip without official assistance, a stark contrast to their previous roles as senior members of the British royal family. Despite this, their impact was palpable, with their presence bringing joy and purpose to the communities they visited. Chief of Defense Staff Gen. Christopher Musa, who hosted the couple, recognized Harry's dedication to the Invictus Games, an international sporting event for wounded veterans that Nigeria participated in for the first time last year.

Harry's commitment to veterans was evident during a visit to a military hospital in Kaduna, where he interacted with soldiers and discussed ways to improve access to prosthetics. This moment evoked memories of his late mother, Princess Diana, known for her compassionate engagements with marginalized communities.

The tour concluded with a mix of optimism and unresolved familial tensions. Harry's relationship with his family, particularly with his brother Prince William and sister-in-law Kate Middleton, who is undergoing cancer treatment, remains strained. Despite these complexities, Harry has expressed a desire for reconciliation and a willingness to support his family.

Back in Montecito, California, Meghan will continue to champion her new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, while Harry's new chief of staff, Josh Kettler, prepares to guide him through his next phase. The couple has received additional invitations for future travels, indicating that their global advocacy work is far from over. "There’s only so much one can do from home and over Zoom!" Harry told PEOPLE. "So we look forward to traveling more…there will always be reasons to meet the people at the heart of our work."

As they continue their journey, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain committed to making a difference, transcending their royal titles to focus on the work that truly matters.