Meghan Markle Receives Criticism Over Insulting Title from Team Nigeria, Accusing Her of PR Boast

Meghan Markle recently found herself in the spotlight yet again, this time
with an unexpected title given by Team Nigeria that sparked controversy. The
Duchess of Sussex, aged 42, made her debut appearance at a sporting event during
the sixth edition of the International Adaptive Sports competition in
Dusseldorf, Germany. 

She was there to support her husband, Prince Harry, aged 38, in his efforts to
promote this competition designed for wounded, injured, and sick service
personnel and veterans.

During their visit, Meghan and Prince Harry attended a thrilling wheelchair
basketball match between Ukraine and Australia, engaged with children
participating in the event, and spent quality time with Team Nigeria. Prince
Harry mentioned his wife’s support for this particular team during his opening
speech earlier in the week.

The whole naming controversy began when Meghan, in a podcast appearance,
shared that she had recently discovered her Nigerian heritage through a
genealogy test. This year, Nigeria, along with Colombia and Israel, made its
debut appearance at the Invictus Games, which featured 21 nations and 500
athletes in Dusseldorf.

When Meghan and Prince Harry posed for a photograph with Team Nigeria and the
Nigerian flag, reports emerged that the squad had bestowed upon Meghan the
titles of “Amir” and “Aussie Lolo.” These names were explained to carry
significant meanings. “Amir” referred to a warrior princess from legend,
“Aussie” meant blessed, and “Lolo” signified a royal wife.

However, soon after this news spread, some Nigerians contradicted the
interpretation of these names. They argued that Meghan’s titles were not a
representation of actual Nigerian culture but perhaps chosen randomly. For
instance, “Amir” could be interpreted as signifying royalty, which Meghan
isn’t, as it primarily means a princess who holds a royal title by birth or
marriage. Moreover, “Lolo” typically denotes the wife of a chief in Nigerian
culture, and Prince Harry does not hold such a title.

In essence, the titles seemed more like a gesture of goodwill and a way to
welcome Meghan and Prince Harry to the Nigerian team rather than an official
recognition of royal status. Meghan’s Nigerian heritage discovery had stirred
excitement and intrigue, but the interpretation of these titles appeared to be
more imaginative than rooted in authentic Nigerian tradition.

For Prince Harry, the Invictus Games have been a significant success story. He
founded this sporting event in 2014 after being inspired by the Warrior Games
in the United States, attended in 2013. The Invictus Games aim to redefine the
role of sports in the lives of military personnel who have served in the armed
forces. It’s worth noting that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made their first
public appearance as a couple at the 2017 Invictus Games held in Toronto,
marking a memorable moment in their relationship.