Meghan Is ‘Deeply Humbled’ After Being Honored With A New Name

Jun 06, 2024 by apost team

Prince Harry and Meghan announced to the world on Jan. 8, 2020, that they would step down as senior working members of the British royal family in a move popularly dubbed “Megxit.” By spring of 2020, the transition was complete, and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were no longer performing royal duties. 

Since then, they have lived in the United States with Meghan’s mother and their two children. Although Harry and Meghan stepped down from their duties as senior royals, they have not shunned the spotlight, appearing at public charity events and pursuing their own creative and philanthropic ventures, many under their brand, Archewell Foundation.

However, tensions between their small family and the most powerful family in the world have grown and created a wall between them. Scrutiny of Harry and Meghan has intensified, and people have started expressing their disdain for every move and decision they make, especially toward their children’s lives – Archie and Lilibet. 

Following the cancer diagnoses of both King Charles and Kate Middleton, it has been highly reported that Harry has attempted to reach out to the royal family to make amends. However, when his trip to the United Kingdom for the Invictus Games was marred with controversy, the idea of them reconnecting and resolving their conflict grew blurrier. 

Immediately after Harry’s trip to the United Kingdom, he flew with his wife, Meghan, to Nigeria to visit the country and meet some government and community leaders. Weeks after their visit, Meghan wrote to the Nigerian monarchy and thanked them for bestowing her a traditional Nigerian name. Keep reading to learn more about Meghan’s new name and their trip overseas.

After Harry’s successful yet short visit to the United Kingdom, he hopped on a plane to Nigeria to go on a special visit with his wife, Meghan. While the trip was tagged as personal, and they clarified that it was not made in the capacity of senior royal family members, the royal family’s perception of the trip differed. 

Royal expert Tom Quinn told The Mirror that Prince William is “absolutely furious and determined to find a way to stop this happening in (the) future.” 

“Charles is said to be angrier than anyone has ever seen him,” the expert added. "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."

According to Quinn, the couple's trip included everything one would expect from an official royal visit. 

"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,” Quinn added. 

When the couple arrived in Nigeria, Meghan’s fashion choice prompted debate on social media because of its appropriateness. At one point, she was heavily criticized for wearing a sleeveless dress for a children's event at a school. 

“Sleeveless and backless slinky dress to a school visit where modesty is expected. A country with half the population Muslim and she rocks up half naked flesh exposed. Seriously." a user wrote on Instagram. Many also noticed Meghan’s significant weight loss as she decided to show more skin in her subsequent outfits. 

She also turned heads when she honored her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, by wearing one of her jewelry pieces.  

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Meghan honored the late Princess Diana by wearing her delicate diamond cross on a gold chain on May 11, 2024, when she and Harry received the military families in Abuja, Nigeria. 

According to People, the piece of jewelry, which once belonged to the late princess, was a recent gift from Harry to Meghan. Meghan wore a simple linen column dress and swept her hair up, allowing the accessory to shine. During their impactful visit, Meghan’s 43% Nigerian heritage was honored at the ceremony. 

“It's been eye-opening to be able to know more about my heritage,” Meghan told an audience of Nigerians at an event on women in leadership, as quoted by NDTV. "Never in a million years would I understand it as much as I do now. And what has been echoed so much in the past day is, 'Oh, we are not so surprised when we found out you are Nigerian.'” 

Meghan revealed in an event the first thing she did upon learning her Nigerian heritage. 

"The first thing I did was call my mom," she shared. "Being African American, part of it is really not knowing so much about your lineage and background ... and it was exciting for both of us.” 

According to Western Post Nigeria, Meghan wrote to the Paramount Ruler of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, for his hospitality during their visit and for bestowing her with a traditional Nigerian name. 

“I am deeply humbled by your blessing of the traditional Yoruba name, Adetokunbo. I treasure the name and appreciate your trust in me to carry it with grace and dignity,” Meghan wrote in her letter. “Our visit to Nigeria was important for many reasons, but not least because it gave us an opportunity to explore and understand my heritage, which extends to our children.” 

What can you say about Meghan's new name? Do you know anyone who also has a traditional name like hers? Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends and other royal family fans!