Harry and Meghan to arrive in Nigeria after Duke ‘left in tears’ by new snub

Harry and Meghan are arriving in Nigeria on a special visit today after the Duke of Sussex was reportedly left ‘in tears’ after a major snub. The Prince who had been in the UK for an Invictus Games ceremony was unable to see his father King Charles because his diary was too full.

And in another blow it was announced that the Duke was being stripped of his role as Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are today set to begin their three-day visit to Nigeria.

Harry and Meghan will arrive in the west African country on Friday at the invitation of the chief of defense staff. The couple are due to visit a school before the duke meets injured service members at a military hospital.

Royal commentator Tom Quinn spoke to the Mirror, revealing: “King Charles’ announcement that Prince Harry is being stripped of his role as Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps is a real kick in the teeth for the sons who always felt marginalized and underrated. What makes it much worse is that the role is being given to the very man who Harry sees as the cause of so many of his problems his brother. And the announcement was deliberately made during Harry’s brief visit to the UK to have maximum impact it shows Harry that he really is no longer welcome.”

Quinn revealed that the Royal family “knew” the timing of the announcement would “really hurt” Harry, and shared that “he is said to have been in tears when he heard.” He continued: “But they have decided the gloves are off and that Harry needs to realize that when you betray the family, you don’t just escape the things you have done doing as a working royal. “You also lose the things you loved.”

“Being Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps was something Harry really did enjoy and of which he was very proud,” added Quinn. “There is a rushed feel to the whole thing too as if they can’t wait to be rid of this troublesome prince which is why Harry’s role will be transferred to William in just a few days’ time, on May 13.”

Harry and Meghan will attend a training session for charity organization Nigeria: Unconquered, which collaborates with the Invictus Games, as well as a reception where military families will be honored. Meghan is then due to co-host an event of Women in Leadership with Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the director-general of the World Trade Organization.

The couple’s other engagements include a basketball camp with Giants of Africa, a cultural reception and a polo fundraiser for Nigeria: Unconquered. It comes after the duke celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games at St Paul’s Cathedral in London on Wednesday.

Harry was joined for the service of thanksgiving by close relatives of his mother Diana, Princess of Wales and a mentor who supported him after his death, along with hundreds of people from the “Invictus family.” The St Paul’s Cathedral service to recognize the Paralympic-style competition the royal founded began as a few miles away the King met guests at the first Buckingham Palace garden party of the year.

The monarch and his son did not meet during Harry’s brief UK visit due to the King’s “full programme”, said the duke’s spokesperson in a statement. There have been reports of issues of trust but the statement had a conciliatory tone and mentioned how the duke hoped to “see him soon.”

The Invictus Games was founded as a sporting event for injured and sick military personnel and veterans. Harry met Nigeria’s chief of defense staff in Germany last September at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf.

Local newspapers reported that Defense Headquarters was “honoured” and “delighted” after Harry and Meghan, who is of Nigerian descent, had accepted the invitation. It will be their first visit to Nigeria as a couple.