Duchess Meghan is a vision in a ruffled red maxi dress as she hosts a Women in Leadership panel in Nigeria.
She cohosted the event with Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, director general of the World Trade Organization, with a goal of highlighting the importance of female leadership and empowerment in driving positive change globally.
Meghan looked radiant in her red ensemble, which boasted barely-there straps and a ruffled bottom. To contrast the bold color, the duchess accessorized sparingly with a diamond tennis necklace, gold bangle bracelets, and a diamond ring. She polished off her look with simple nude stilettos, and kept her dark hair slicked back in a bun.
The event, for about 50 leading women from across Nigerian society and politics, business, media and culture, kicked off with the duchess and Dr. Okonjo-Iweala taking part in a panel discussion, moderated by Nigerian media mogul Mo Abudu who runs Africa’s first global black entertainment lifestyle network.
After the introductions, Abudu asked how the duchess felt about finding out she was Nigerian. “Well, firstly, thank you all so much for being here. 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 than I need to wear more color so I can fit in with all of you in your incredible fashion. 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,” she said before adding to applause, “my country.”
Meghan explained that the first thing she did when she found out her heritage “was call my mom, because I wanted to know if she had any awareness of it.” The duchess added that it was exciting for both of them to discover more about their African-American background, and that the process was “really eye-opening and humbling.” Moderator Abudu then joked that the audience would have to decide on a Nigerian name for Meghan.
After Abudu outlined the importance of women in power, the duchess spoke on the impact of representation: “You need to at least be a familiar face for the next generation to say, ‘oh, she looks like me. And I can be that.’” Success isn’t defined by leaving home, she said, but rather from coming home and shifting generational patterns. “I hope that I could do justice to the role model that I think so many young women deserve to have,” she continued.
Being a role model doesn’t always mean being serious and strong, Meghan said, “You can be a woman, you can be beautiful and intelligent. You can be powerful and playful, and they can coexist.” Meghan cited a lesson from her own personal mentor, Bonnie Hammer, Vice Chairman of NBC. “[Work/life] balance will always change for you. That balance, what seems balanced 10 years ago is going to shift. And so being a mom has always been a dream of mine. And I’m so fortunate that we have two beautiful, healthy, very chatty sweet children,” she said.
abuja, nigeria may 11 editorial use only prince harry, duke of sussex, and meghan, duchess of sussex visit nigeria unconquered, a charity organisation that works in collaboration with the invictus games foundation, at a reception at officers’ mess on may 11, 2024 in abuja, nigeria photo by andrew esiebogetty images for the archewell foundation
ANDREW ESIEBO
Meghan’s event comes after she and Harry attended a training session for charity organization Nigeria: Unconquered this morning. For the occasion, Meghan pulled out a cutout zebra-print dress from Johanna Ortiz, pairing the look with a stack of gold bangles and matching large gold earrings.
After participating in the training session, the couple arrived at a reception hosted by the Chief of Defence Staff in honor of military families. There, the duchess upped the glam factor in a white linen strapless gown, which matched Prince Harry’s own cream linen suit. Meghan accessorized with a gold pendant necklace and the same bracelets she wore earlier in the day.
The Sussexes kicked off their visit to Nigeria on Friday, when they stopped by a school to learn about their new mental health initiative and enjoyed a dance put on by the kids. Later, they met with Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Musa at the Defence Headquarters in the heart of Abuja, the West African country’s capital.
For the first occasion, Meghan looked lovely in a backless silk dress in a soft peach shade. And for the second engagement, she changed into a sleek white suit with flared pants.
Tomorrow, the duke and duchess will attend a basketball clinic with Giants of Africa, a cultural reception, and a polo fundraiser for Nigeria: Unconquered.
