Nigeria?

[MaturingCheeseball]

Can this be true? That Harry and Meghan are off on a “royal” trip to Nigeria? What’s the game now? My head is spinning!

I think the visit would be appealing to them for a several reasons. I think Harry has always liked to be seen as the 'renegade' prince- the one who dares to go where others in the RF fear to tread. Like Afghanistan. Like his mother - who is widely heralded for putting her own personal safety at potential risk to further a charitable cause - land mines, AIDS etc.

Meghan will massively promote the personal heritage angle, the land of her fore fathers. Hugely emotional scenes engaging with local women and children and seeing her own children within them. A calling to be in land of her ancestors that she could no longer ignore. I can guarantee we will hear phrases like 'it truly felt like a homecoming, I felt an immediate and deep spiritual connection with the land and the beautiful people of Nigeria.'

Lots of positive headlines of what a great asset the two of them could be for the RF. The falling away of the colonial and empirical iconography of previous royal visits.

This why, at least in the US, there are tourism kiosks in convention centers and stadiums. And electronic ads. And why so much of my time in the summer is spent directing tourists in subway stations.

Yes, isn't that usually a bid criterion for hosting an international event? Benefit to the local economy & tourism will need to be demonstrated, along with safety, inclusion, sustainability, ethical procurement, legacy - and of course a solid and ethical business case by the bid nation.

Sadly it is always unsavoury characters that are involved. In desperation Harry will be blinded to this. He is available to buy by anyone. He is the living embodiment of the Emperor's New Clothes.

I’m not sure that what’s going on. Members of the RF would happily visit Nigeria if invited. I don’t think Harry is making a statement about his lack of regard for his personal safety if at the same time he is involved in a court case about lack of security in the UK. I think it just makes it look like security Isn’t the issue, just his perceived status loss in not receiving personal protection in the UK. I don’t think he wants to go where others “fear to tread” if he thinks he won’t be safe in London. And Sophie is currently in Ukraine. Not the safest place on Earth atm and she went there without fanfare 🤷‍♀️

edited typos

There is no bid. You have no idea what the criteria is, neither do I.
There is a statement by a Nigerian government Minister. That is it. The rest is fantasy.

I confused. If they just want to visit Meghan's cultural roots, why even mention Invictus? Just go and enjoy the visit with your Netflix crew.

https://www.invictusgamesfoundation.org/hosting-invictus-games

See also

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3gq040ngleo#:~:text=The%20government%20has%20launched%20a,by%20the%20Invictus%20Games%20Foundation.

Is she more Nigerian than Maltese?
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6444263/Meghan-Markles-Irish-ancestors-moved-island-going-America.html

She's just wearing black, grey, or tan even back then!

Plenty of fantasy going on these threads about her 🤣 sometimes it like reading fanfiction

Perhaps Sentebale can come back and get us on an even keel again.

The Nigerian government invited Harry and Meghan in Harry's role as founder and patron of Invictus.
It is a work event.

I read this and I do think there is not much wrong with the Malta reference, in that there is a geographical reference rather than a genetic. Its also something Americans do.

So he’s paid by Invictus? I genuinely have no idea.

That pesky Sentebale. She's never around when you need her.

I'm pretty sure it's been debunked that any of her ancestors were born in Malta.

Lots of positive headlines of what a great asset the two of them could be for the RF. The falling away of the colonial and empirical iconography of previous royal visits.

But it's not a royal visit.

I'd very much like to see an investigative documentary or written account on the flow of money between Invictus (the 'Games' themselves and the Foundation and any related charitable entities), the host nations, Better Up, Harry and Meghan (salaries, fees, expenses, other monies, assets and goods in lieu), the Partners and Sponsors (notably ATCO and Boeing), and the Royal Foundation.

And where is the money held for Invictus actually kept? How many accounts, in which jurisdictions?

The Invictus Foundation website is not clear on any of this. Has anyone found any data anywhere on any of it?

Have you got a link to the official announcement from the Nigerian government?

And Meghan plays no role in Invictus. How is it a 'work visit' for her?

@IcedPurple It's not a royal visit but the media will compare it to other royal visits. Seems to be being promoted a quasi royal visit. I mean, apart from ex Presidents who else do you know outside of Royals that pre-announce tours of Countries where they take part in variety of different events (rather than say just one specific charity event) or as part of documentary or tv series.

Just seems very weird.

I think as usual you are seeing something that isn't there!

@AutumnCrow Follow the money 😁

Yes, I agree that they will try to make it into a 'royal tour'. A bit like that weird 'tour' of New York they did a few years ago.

Why leave the royal family in order to do pretend versions of what you once had? Without the high level staff, security and prestige? Nigeria is an important Commonwealth country so no doubt a visit could have been arranged if there was interest on both sides. Weird indeed.