Meghan and Prince Harry met Nigerian charity workers from Save the Children in new images from their ‘royal’ trip.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex beamed as they were introduced to two youth ambassadors – Maryam, 23, and 19-year-old Purity – in the Nigerian capital Abuja last week.
The charity workers told Harry and Meghan about their work on issues such as child marriage, gender-based violence, access to education and healthcare and the plight of internally displaced children.
In a clip shared today on the charity’s Instagram, the Sussexes are seen shaking hands with Save the Children staff before sitting down for a chat with the two young ambassadors.
It came as Prince William took to social media to celebrate a decade of protecting the African elephant.
Prince Harry, Megan, Purity and Maryam pose for a photo during the couple’s ‘royal’ trip to Nigeria
Meghan beamed as she met Save the Children charity workers in Abuja
The Sussexes shook hands with Save the Children staff in the video shared on Instagram
Prince Harry praised the charity for putting young voices at the forefront of their operation
Meghan sits down for a chat with 23-year-old Save the Children youth ambassador Maryam
The photo shows Prince Harry listening as Save the Children Youth Ambassador Purity speaks about the issues facing Nigeria
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex met with Save the Children staff in the Nigerian capital Abuja last week
Harry and Meghan pictured with youth ambassadors Maryam, 23, and Purity, 19, during their visit to Abuja
Maryam explains some of the issues her country faces: “I started my activism at the age of 14 – the same year the Chibok girls were kidnapped. There are so many challenges that children and girls face here in Nigeria.
‘There are child marriages. We have one of the highest numbers of out-of-school children. We have one of the highest numbers of children who are not vaccinated
Prince Harry praised the charity for putting young people’s voices at the forefront.
He said: “This charity recognizes the importance of putting young people’s voices at the forefront – not just as advocates but also as decision makers.
‘That is absolutely crucial because you know better than anyone what is going on and what the conversations are that are taking place.
“But it’s also your future,” Prince Harry added.
Purity added: “We will not stop. Each of us has a role to play – through advocacy, our voice, financial support, volunteerism. We hope to see a positive change and a better future for Nigeria.”
The Instagram post read: ‘Thank you Prince Harry and Meghan for joining us in Nigeria to learn more about how we ensure children not only survive, but thrive.
‘The Duke and Duchess of Sussex met our Youth Ambassadors Maryam and Purity, who are tireless advocates for children’s rights and the beating heart of our work.
“Children in Nigeria face major challenges: one in ten dies before they are five years old.
‘Three in ten girls marry before the age of 18. Nigeria also has one of the highest rates of unimmunized children. But young people are working hard with Save the Children to fight for a better future.
Prince William took to social media to congratulate the Elephant Protection Initiative on its 10th anniversary
‘We have also worked with GSK to develop new immunization programmes, as well as a fund to support local organizations and innovators, and child-led advocacy.’
Meanwhile, Prince William took to social media to congratulate the Elephant Protection Initiative on its 10th anniversary.
He said: “I am pleased to congratulate the Elephant Protection Initiative on the fantastic progress it has made in its first decade and made a significant contribution to conservation efforts across Africa.
‘When the EPI was launched in 2014, it was inspiring to see five African leaders come together in response to the challenge of ivory poaching. They decided that enough was enough and that protecting their elephants was a challenge they would tackle together.
‘Ten years later, the EPI’s membership has grown from the original five countries to 24. And in that time, many of the EPI’s original goals have been achieved.
“International ivory trade remains under a moratorium, with many African countries closing their domestic ivory markets, along with Canada, China, the EU, the United Kingdom, Singapore and New Zealand.
“African countries have taken significant measures in ivory safety and management and in some cases their stocks have been destroyed.
‘While there is no reason for complacency, poaching continues in some areas and demand for ivory still exists. However, there is no doubt that we are in a better position than we were ten years ago.”
