Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has thanked Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, the Oluwo of Iwo, for his hospitality during her recent visit to Nigeria with Prince Harry.
Their three-day visit aimed to support wounded veterans and engage with local stakeholders.
Oba Akanbi’s Press Secretary, Alli Ibrahim, shared on June 1, 2024, that Markle had written a letter of appreciation, acknowledging the Yoruba name “Adetokunbo” given to her by the monarch.
During their mid-May visit, the couple was honored at Delborough Hotel in Ikoyi, Lagos, where Oba Akanbi presented Markle with traditional gifts and the Yoruba name.
The Oluwo was the only Yoruba king invited to honor the Duchess.
Markle discovered in 2022 that she is 43% Nigerian, which made this visit personally significant.
In her letter, Markle expressed her gratitude for the warm welcome and the Yoruba name, highlighting its importance and her deeper understanding of her heritage.
“Thank you for your warm welcome to Nigeria. I’m 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,” she wrote. She added that the visit helped her explore and understand her heritage, which is important for her and her children. She expressed a desire to return to Nigeria soon.
The Duke and Duchess’s visit not only underscored their dedication to charitable work but also strengthened cultural and ancestral ties, promoting goodwill between Nigeria and the British royal family.
