Meghan Markle has been showered with love from Nigerian fans who have welcomed their ‘new princess’ during the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s visit to the country.
The mother of two was on Sunday honored as an ‘Ada Mazi’ – apparently a title of respect meaning ‘daughter of an aristocrat’ – of the ancient Arochukwu kingdom.
Three kings – His Eminence Engr Eberechukwu Oji, Eze Aro of ancient Arochukwu Kingdom, Igwe Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha and Grand Olu of Warri Kingdom – participated in the naming ceremony.
And well-wishers from the West African country, where Prince Harry and his wife enjoyed a 72-hour tour, have taken to social media to send their congratulations.
‘Princess Meghan first of her name! Daughter Doria of OUR blood,” someone wrote in a spicy post on X.
Meghan Markle has been showered with love from Nigerian fans who have welcomed their ‘new princess’ during the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s visit to the country
Another affectionately called Meghan “our new princess of the ancient kingdom of Arochukwu.”
Elsewhere, a third wrote: ‘Okay, my native tribe is finally represented with the ‘Ada Mazi’ cloth and royal beads.
“A proud Igbo girl, a proud Anambarian!!!”
Many have also noted how important this occasion is, as it is believed that the kings rarely leave their home state unless it is for a very special event or guest.
In a TikTok shared by Arochukwu Network, a video shows a beaming Meghan giving a grateful speech.
“Thank you very much,” she told an audience. “I’m very grateful that I’m very humble.
“And today is Mother’s Day, so it feels appropriate – because of course we miss our children, I miss my babies – it feels really good to be in the motherland…
‘Thank you very much for the titles and really beautiful names. We can’t wait to come back, thank you very much.’
Three Kings – His Eminence Engr Eberechukwu Oji, Eze Aro of ancient Arochukwu Kingdom, Igwe Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha and Grand Olu of Warri Kingdom – participated in the naming ceremony
Well-wishers from the West African country, where Prince Harry and his wife enjoyed a 72-hour tour, have taken to social media to send their congratulations
Meghan wore a gold sash with the title Ada Mazi and also held a fabric with the ‘Oru-Arochukwu’ insignia.
Explanation of its symbolism, one poster on the forum Nairaland said in 2017: ‘The Omu and Omu Aro are not interchangeable for clarity and better understanding.
‘The omu is the young leaf or leaves of the palm tree or the knot, tied from this leaf by the Eze Aro, while the Omu Aro is the insignia or emblem of authority of the Eze Aro.
“The omu as we have it everywhere on Aro documents, monuments or wrappers has the knotted Omu leaf in the center, with one hand giving and the other receiving.”
Arochukwu is ‘one of the most important ancient kingdoms in Africa’, according to the local newspaper Punchand is located in the north of Abia State.
The Sussexes were invited to the West African country by the military, with their three-day visit aimed at promoting the mental health of soldiers and empowering young people.
Prince Harry also addressed the gathering, describing those in attendance as his “in-laws,” adding, “I’m skipping protocol because we’re all family at this point.”
He continued: “Thank you for welcoming my wife and myself to Nigeria. It’s our first visit. It certainly won’t be our last. Thank you for the naming ceremony.
‘I don’t know how I got drawn into that, but to be able to witness it next to my wife means a lot to both of us, but especially to her, so thank you for that.’
Their visit comes after Meghan revealed on her Archetypes podcast in October 2022 that she found out she was “43 percent Nigerian” through the DNA test.
The Sussexes were invited to the West African country by the army. Their three-day visit was aimed at promoting the mental health of soldiers and empowering young people.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu told reporters: “We have extended an additional invitation to them that they can always come back whenever they want.”
Harry and Meghan arrived in Lagos this weekend, where Nigerian fashion and traditional dances were on full display.
The couple were treated to several dances, starting at Lagos airport, where a group’s acrobatic moves had Harry and Meghan clapping and grinning.
Matching Meghan’s white top was the traditional Nigerian aso oke, a handwoven fabric with a pattern wrapped around the waist and often reserved for special occasions. It was a gift from a group of women the day before.
Meghan photographed at the Giant of Africa Foundation during the Dream Big Basketball clinic in Lagos this weekend
The couple visited a local charity, Giants of Africa, which uses basketball to empower young people.
There they were treated to another round of dancing before unveiling a partnership between the organization and their Archewell Foundation.
“What you are doing here at Giants of Africa is truly amazing,” Harry said. ‘The power of sport can change lives. It brings people together and creates community. There are no barriers, that’s the most important thing.’
Masai Ujiri, chairman of the charity and a former NBA star, wished Meghan a happy Mother’s Day and acknowledged how difficult it can be “for us to be away from our children and family for things like this to happen.”
“To do this shows dedication (and) we really appreciate it,” he told the couple.
Meghan and Harry later attended a fundraiser for Nigerian soldiers injured in the country’s fight against Islamic extremists and other armed groups in the country’s conflict-hit north.
The event was linked to Harry’s Invictus Games, which Nigeria plans to host in the future.