This incident occurred against the backdrop of Meghan's revelation in a 2023 podcast that she has Nigerian heritage, with her ancestry being 43% Nigerian. During their appearance, Prince Harry chose to forgo protocol and addressed the crowd, stating, "I'll skip the protocol because at this point we're all family. Thank you for welcoming my wife and myself to Nigeria." While he mentioned it was their first visit, he emphasized that it would certainly not be their last.
Additionally, Prince Harry expressed gratitude for the naming ceremony that took place and acknowledged its significance to both him and Meghan. However, his comments were met with swift backlash from online users who pointed out the apparent hypocrisy given Prince Harry's strained relationship with Meghan's father, Thomas Markle. Netizens called him out for not having met his own father-in-law, despite Thomas Markle's expressed desire to see his daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren.
Critics accused Prince Harry of betraying his own family and labeled his actions as appalling. The controversy surrounding his remarks intensified as users highlighted the contradictions between his claims of considering the Nigerian locals as family and the strained dynamics within his own in-laws.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the scrutiny faced by high-profile figures and the weight that words and actions can carry, particularly when it comes to matters of family dynamics and cultural sensitivity. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle now face the challenge of addressing the backlash and managing public perception as they navigate their roles as prominent public figures.
