On Saturday, the Duchess of Sussex stood out in a vibrant red ensemble as she co-hosted an event alongside Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization, focusing on Women in Leadership during the second day of her visit to Nigeria.
Meghan wore a stunning red maxi dress designed by Orire, a burgeoning contemporary designer from Nigeria, known for its commitment to ethical design. Launched in 2021, Orire’s creations are available at Nordstrom, ShopBop, Rent The Runway, and Free People.
When asked about her feelings upon discovering her Nigerian heritage, Meghan expressed, “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 in your incredible fashion!”
The dress, named the Dire Ruffle Hem Maxi Dress, features delicate ribbing details, spaghetti straps, and a ruffle hem. Despite its retail price of $275, it appears to be currently sold out.
The event convened 50 prominent women from various sectors of Nigerian society, including politics, business, media, and culture, who witnessed the Duchess participate in a panel discussion alongside Dr. Okonjo-Iweala and media mogul Mo Abudu, the founder of Africa’s premier global black entertainment lifestyle network.
“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: “My country!”
The invitation extended to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex came from the chief of defense staff of the West African country, who had previously met Harry in Germany last September during the Invictus Games Dusseldorf. Their itinerary commenced with a heartwarming interaction with local children, engaging in singing and dancing, followed by Harry’s visit to injured service personnel in the hospital later in the afternoon.
On Saturday, they participated in a training session for Nigeria: Unconquered and attended a reception where military families were recognized and honored.
Their final day, Sunday, will feature a basketball clinic with Giants of Africa, followed by a cultural reception. The day will culminate in their attendance at a polo fundraiser for Nigeria: Unconquered, a charitable organization collaborating with the Invictus Games Foundation.
This marks the couple’s inaugural trip to the country, spurred by Meghan’s revelation in 2023 that a genealogy test unveiled her Nigerian heritage, indicating she is “43% Nigerian.”
When asked about the discovery, Meghan said she called her mom immediately “because I wanted to know if she had any awareness of it”.
“I think, being African-American, part of it is really not knowing so much about your lineage or background, where you come from specifically, and it was exciting for both of us to discover more and understand what that really means,” she added.
