MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry underwent a three-day tour of Nigeria last weekend and certainly didn’t leave empty-handed.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were given over 20 special gifts during their visit and they were able to take them home after no longer having to follow royal protocol.
The couple were showered with an array of presents, including jewellery, artwork and clothing.
Usually royal protocol means family members can’t accept some gifts given to them during visits.
The official royal policy states that gifts from individuals not known to the royals are to be refused “where there are concerns about the propriety or motives of the donor or the gift itself.”
Gifts that can be accepted are flowers, food and books, if they cost less than £150.
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It adds: “In all cases, and particularly on official overseas trips, organisations and individuals should be discouraged from offering extravagant gifts, i.e. gifts of high monetary value.
“Whilst always remaining sensitive to local custom, Households should explore alternative gestures of goodwill during preliminary discussions about engagements.”
In terms of gifts offered by commercial enterprises in the UK, they should “normally be declined, unless they are offered as a souvenir of an official visit to the enterprises’ premises, to mark a Royal marriage or other special personal occasion.”
The policy states: “When gifts are accepted, the consent of the Member of The Royal Family should be contingent upon the enterprise undertaking not to exploit the gift for commercial purposes.”
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All presents that are accepted by the royal family are logged on a strict royal record, with many being housed under the Royal Collection or placed on a loan with a reputable organisation.
While Prince William and Kate Middleton will have to follow the strict guidelines for any royal tours they do, Meghan and Harry have more freedom.
The couple stepped back as senior working royals in 2020, and now live in California with their two kids, Archie, five, and Lilibet, two.
Therefore, the Nigeria trip was on a private capacity, despite many experts hailing it as a “faux royal tour.”
During the trip, Prince Harry was gifted two paintings – one of his late mum, Princess Diana, and another of him and Meghan.
He also was given clothing, including a traditional Nigerian waistcoat and a Hula cap.
Meanwhile, Meghan was given a bouquet of roses by a young girl and a wildlife drawing.
When the Duke and Duchess of Sussex watched a volleyball match take place, they were then given traditional scarves that boasted the colours of the Nigerian flag.
They also got complete Nigerian outfits and personalised T-shirts which read “Harry Dreams Big” and “Meghan Dreams Big.”
Rules on royal gifting
THE guidelines and procedures are designed to promote uniform practice throughout the Royal Households with regard to gifts defined as official.
Gifts offered by commercial enterprises in the UK should normally be declined, unless they are offered as a souvenir of an official visit to the enterprises’ premises, to mark a Royal marriage or other special personal occasion. When gifts are accepted, the consent of the Member of The Royal Family should be contingent upon the enterprise undertaking not to exploit the gift for commercial purposes.
Gifts offered by private individuals living in the UK not personally known to the Member of The Royal Family should be refused where there are concerns about the propriety or motives of the donor or the gift itself. Gifts in this category may be accepted in the following categories: Flowers, foodstuff and other consumable items (within reasonable quantities); Copies of books presented by the author, provided the subject matter is not controversial; and, Other items of small monetary value, i.e. items costing less than £150.
Source: Royal.uk
Meghan received a shawl to match her gorgeous, yellow Carolina Herrera gown on the final day of the tour.
She also was given some beautiful traditional Nigerian coral drop earrings and the Sussexes also got some wooden beaded necklaces.
One other gift they received was a large mirror that featured a painting of the couple on the back.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who had been on what they labelled an “unforgettable” trip to Nigeria, were snapped back home today.
As the couple left Nigeria they expressed their “deepest gratitude” for the communities’ “tremendous hospitality”.
They jetted back to the United States after they watched a charity exhibition match at Lagos Polo Club.
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Harry and Meghan spent three days in the West African country, meeting with locals and leaders.
While there they unveiled a partnership between their Archewell Foundation and the non-profit Giants of Africa, which aims to empower young people through sport.
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Becky Pemberton
