First Lady of Nigeria issues urgent clarification following Meghan Markle 'nakedness' swipe

Meghan travelled to Nigeria with Prince Harry

Reuters
Dorothy Reddin

By Dorothy Reddin


Published: 03/06/2024

- 08:06

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited West Africa last month

The First Lady of Nigeria has issued an urgent clarification following what was perceived to be a "nakedness" swipe towards Meghan Markle.

Last month, it was reported that First Lady Oluremi Tinubu criticised the Duchess of Sussex's fashion during her tour of Nigeria.


However, Tinubu's office has issued a statement clarifying these reports.

They said: "She meant Meghan appreciates the people we are and hence her coming here.

Oluremi Tinubu and Meghan Markle

Oluremi Tinubu previously spoke about Meghan Markle in a speech that was misconstrued

Getty / Reuters

"At no point did she say anything about Meghan’s dressing."

The First Lady clarified her remarks after a recent speech was misinterpreted as criticism of Meghan's attire during her visit to the country.

Tinubu made headlines after a video surfaced of her discussing the challenges faced by Nigeria's youth.

She said: "We are not having the Met Gala . . . We don't accept nakedness in our culture.

First Lady of Nigeria Oluremi TinubuThe First Lady of Nigeria said that "nakedness" is not accepted in "our culture" Getty

"It is not beautiful at all . . . They are mimicking and trying to emulate film stars from America. They don’t know where they come from.

"Why did Meghan come here, looking for Africa? That is something we have to take home with.

"We know who we are, and don’t lose who you are."

According to the First Lady's office, Tinubu’s reference to the Duchess of Sussex was about her journey to understand her identity and where she came from after Meghan learned she is of Nigerian heritage.

Meghan MarkleMeghan's outfits and jewellery in Nigeria was estimated to cost around £120,00 Getty
Meghan MarkleMeghan Markle received a lot of praise during her tour of NigeriaReuters

​Meghan and Prince Harry visited Nigeria at the invitation of the Chief of Defense Staff, the country’s highest-ranking military official, from May 10 to May 12.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex did not publicly meet with the President of Nigeria or his wife during their trip.

The couple travelled abroad to champion their Archewell Foundation's mental health initiatives for young people and to promote Harry's Invictus Games, which Nigeria joined for the first time in 2023.

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