In a light-hearted moment, he remarked, "We're really excited to have the new nation join us," referring to the participating countries like Colombia, Israel, and Nigeria. He playfully added, "I'm not saying we play favorites in my home, but since my wife discovered that she is of Nigerian descent, it's likely to get a little bit more competitive this year." He seemed to imply that Meghan was supporting Team Nigeria over Team USA.
However, much to Harry's surprise, most of the audience didn't catch the humorous undertone, and the mention of Meghan's Nigerian ancestry was met with silence rather than applause.
One can only imagine Meghan's initial reaction. Perhaps she was tempted to scream loudly, flip tables and chairs, or even throw dishes against the wall. As well-traveled as Harry is, he likely understands that the native population of a country may not be particularly interested in someone's distant ancestral roots, especially when it's not a recent or direct connection.
Meghan had shared on her Archetypes podcast last October that genealogy tests had revealed her to be 43% Nigerian. However, there has been skepticism about the accuracy of this claim, with some suggesting she may have exaggerated her Nigerian ancestry.
It's worth noting that Meghan's discovery of her Nigerian heritage seemed to come rather late in her life, at the age of 40. Some have criticized her for seemingly trying to adopt aspects of Nigerian culture, such as her appearance, which they consider inauthentic.
In contrast, Meghan's previous efforts to promote tolerance and fight against hate in the United States have raised questions about her commitment to her newfound identity.
Despite her claim to Nigerian ancestry, Meghan's apparent lack of knowledge about the specific tribe she might be descended from has raised eyebrows, leading some to question the depth of her connection to the culture.
Furthermore, Meghan's actions, such as her choice of clothing when visiting places of worship, have been criticized as incongruent with her claims of Nigerian heritage.
It's also interesting to note that Harry's mention of Meghan's Nigerian ancestry appeared to be a spontaneous addition to his speech, possibly influenced by recent discussions on podcasts like "The Good, The Bad, and The Rugby." Some have observed a pattern in which Harry aligns himself with projects initiated by his brother, Prince William, but adds a high-profile, Instagram-friendly twist.
This incident has sparked debates about Meghan's connection to her claimed Nigerian heritage and the dynamics of the couple's public appearances.
