Meghan Markle’s Emotional Journey to Discover Her Nigerian Roots Unfolds in Candid Chat: ‘My Country’

I want to start by saying thank you very much for just how gracious you’ve all been in welcoming my husband and I to this country…my country,” the Duchess of Sussex said

On Saturday, May 11, approximately 50 leading women from various sectors of Nigerian society including politics, business, media, and culture, attended the session, which was moderated by Nigerian media mogul Mo Abudu, who heads Africa’s first global black entertainment lifestyle network.

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Meghan Markle’s Emotional Journey to Discover Her Nigerian Roots Unfolds in Candid Chat: ‘My Country’
“I want to start by saying thank you very much for just how gracious you’ve all been in welcoming my husband and I to this country…my country,” the Duchess of Sussex said

By Erin Hill and Simon Perry Published on May 11, 2024 02:36PM EDT
Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, left, walks alongside Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, right, Director-General of the World Trade Organization, during an event in Abuja, Nigeria, Saturday, May 11, 2024.
Meghan Markle speaks on a panel about women in leadership in Nigeria on May 11, 2024. PHOTO: AP PHOTO/SUNDAY ALAMBA
Meghan Markle joined Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization, in a candid panel discussion on day two of her trip to Nigeria alongside Prince Harry.

On Saturday, May 11, approximately 50 leading women from various sectors of Nigerian society including politics, business, media, and culture, attended the session, which was moderated by Nigerian media mogul Mo Abudu, who heads Africa’s first global black entertainment lifestyle network.

“I am just flattered and honored and inspired. It has been a whirlwind 24 hours since we arrived, and I very quickly got the memo that I need to wear more color, so I can fit in with all of you and your incredible fashion!” Meghan, who wore a red dress by Nigerian designer Orire, told the crowd at the event, which was attended by PEOPLE.

“I am very overwhelmed. So I want to start by saying thank you very much for just how gracious you’ve all been in welcoming my husband and I to this country,” Meghan said, pausing briefly before adding to the applause, “my country.”

When asked how she felt after discovering she was 43% Nigerian through a genealogy test, Meghan said the first thing she did was “call my mom, because I wanted to know if she had any awareness of it.”