Everything Meghan Markle and Prince Harry did in Nigeria that left King Charles ‘furious’

King Charles was “angrier than anyone has ever seen him” following Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s tour of Nigeria, according to a royal expert. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex spent a whirlwind three days in the African country where they attended state receptions and received military welcomes. They also met with key figures and delivered some poignant speeches.

While many praised the couple for their work, others criticised the trip and critics suggested it was a royal tour in all but name. Here, we’ve taken a look at the monarch’s reaction to the Nigeria trip and why it made him angry.

King Charles’ response

Royal author Tom Quinn previously told The Mirror: “[Prince] William is absolutely furious and determined to find a way to stop this happening in future. Charles is said to be angrier than anyone has ever seen him. “What’s really upset the applecart is the fact that the Nigerians treated Meghan and Harry as if they too thought this was an official tour – all the signs were there as the couple were greeted with dances, receptions, visits to schools and charities.” He added: “It’s as if Harry and Meghan have gone rogue – their Nigeria trip is a bold statement that they refuse to accept they are no longer working royals. William and Charles are scratching their heads and thinking, ‘How are we going to control this nightmare situation?'”

Tom explained why Charles was angry, telling us: “Everything you might expect from an official Royal visit was there – the receptions, the visits to schools and charities, to wounded soldiers and the disabled. Meghan and Harry’s speeches and their whole attitude has been designed to give the impression that they are still fully paid-up royals and William and his father King Charles don’t like it one bit. “For Charles and William, it’s as if Meghan and Harry are saying, ‘We don’t need your permission to be working royals we will do it on our own terms whenever and wherever we like’.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were invited to Nigeria by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who met Harry last September at the games in Düsseldorf, Germany. However, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria was keen to point out that the couple were invited in a personal capacity and that the tour was not official. Richard Montgomery said: “It’s great that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are visiting Nigeria, which I understand is at the invitation of Defence Headquarters. But they are visiting in a private capacity, not an official one.”

Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria, Richard added: “So, the British High Commission is not involved in arranging or facilitating their programme. They are not representing the work of His Majesty’s Government on this visit.”

National anthem

At a reception to honour military families in Nigeria, the British national anthem was played – something former royal butler Paul Burrell has explained is only done on royal visits. However, Meghan and Harry are no longer members of the Royal Family after stepping down four years ago. The couple caused controversy at the event as they decided not to sing along. During an appearance on GB News, Paul said: “This was not a royal visit. At royal visits, they play the national anthem. Why was the national anthem played at their visit?

“It wasn’t a royal visit, they didn’t sing the words to it. I’m not sure Meghan knows all the words to it. I’m sure Harry does. But they didn’t. And why didn’t they? And why did they play the national anthem? “You know, I just think it’s a mess.” Paul was then showed a clip of the moment Harry and Meghan didn’t sing along. He said: “Isn’t that embarrassing? It’s not only embarrassing for them, it’s embarrassing for the world and certainly embarrassing for our country. I just don’t get it.”

Inspecting troops

During the Nigeria trip, Harry was seen inspecting troops at the Nigerian Defence Headquarters in Abuja, despite being stripped of his military titles three years ago. Video from the event shows Harry being greeted by a ceremonial performance before carrying out the inspection. Harry served two tours of Afghanistan and previously held several military titles, including commodore-in-chief of small ships and diving, honorary air commandant of RAF Honington, and captain general of the Royal Marines. The titles were given to him by the late Queen Elizabeth II.

However, King Charles made the decision to strip his son of the titles when he officially stepped down as a senior member of the Royal Family in 2021. Critics slammed Harry’s decision to then inspect the troops and branded it “cringy”. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one critic said: “This whole thing is a —— joke.” Another added: “Why King Charles can’t stop them? They really think it’s a Royal Tour. It’s cringy.”

A third person agreed: “Harry has only been away playing dress up, pretending to inspect the troops and standing to attention to the National Anthem as though he’s still a Senior working Royal representing King & Country.”