LPrince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, and his wife Meghan Markle, made a poignant visit to the Nigerian Army Reference Hospital Kaduna on May 10, marking his first day in Nigeria alongside his wife Meghan Markle.
During his tour of the wards, the Duke, a former captain in the British Armed Forces and founding patron of the Invictus Games, displayed a compassionate gesture reminiscent of his late mother, Princess Diana.
In a video captured shared online, Prince Harry was seen holding the hand of Private Habu Sadiq, asking, “Are they helping you? Are you feeling better?” He encouraged the soldier, who had suffered impaired eyesight due to a blast, with words of strength and support.
The Duke of Sussex also squatted next to another patient’s bed for a photo and engaged with hospital officials.
Princess Diana was renowned for her empathetic approach to interacting with hospital patients, dedicating much of her public platform to breaking stigmas around HIV/AIDS and raising awareness of landmines, among other vital causes. Her brother, Charles Spencer, described her as someone who valued human contact over formality.
Prince Harry carried forward his mother’s legacy of warmth and compassion during his visit to the hospital, where he met with injured service members.
He toured approximately six wards, where he encountered young men recovering from various injuries, including gunshot wounds, ambushes by Boko Haram, and limb loss due to blasts.
Interacting with around 50 soldiers, Prince Harry took note of what was on the TV in each ward, from a Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich re-run to the news, showing genuine interest in their well-being.
He offered words of encouragement, saying, “You are going to get better, get back on your feet.”
During the visit, Prince Harry also spoke with 23-year-old Corp Yusef, who had been shot through the knee.
He inquired about Yusef’s rehabilitation progress and encouraged him to aim for the Invictus Games team, gesturing towards his friend David Wiseman, who oversees the international expansion of the Invictus Games, saying, “Don’t disappoint us or him! We’ll see you there.”
As Prince Harry left the ward, Yusef was seen doing push-ups on the bed, demonstrating his determination to recover.
The visit to Nigeria holds significance as Prince Harry and Meghan’s first international tour since stepping back from their royal roles in 2020.
They traveled at the invitation of the Chief of Defense Staff, Nigeria’s highest-ranking military official, with a schedule highlighting the Invictus Games.
Prince Harry’s trip to Nigeria was also a personal journey, as he was surprised with a painting of a photo of himself and Princess Diana when he landed in Kaduna to greet Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State before heading to the hospital.
