Prince Harry and Meghan Markle touched down in Nigeria with a “presidential-style” security team for their 72-hour stay in the country.
However, their security plans are a hot topic back in England for former Royal protection officers, who say the visit is hypocritical and performative of the couple.
The royal couple have had a busy stay in Nigeria so far, including Harry’s visit to Kaduna to greet wounded military officers.
For the 72-hour private trip, Harry and Meghan reportedly paid for their own four-person security team and also received heavy protection from the Nigerian government.
However, their decision to visit the country has been branded “hypocritical” back home in England.
Former royal protection officer Dai Davies spoke to the DailyMail about how Harry and Meghan’s security plans rubbed him the wrong way.
He said, “Seeing all his presidential-style security really does stick in the throat. For a couple who say all they want is privacy to visit one of the most dangerous places in the world, and that’s not me saying that it’s the Foreign Office as well, is crazy, and you have to wonder why.”
Davies claimed that it would have been “safer and easier” for Harry and Meghan to fly the wounded Nigerian soldiers to London rather than to visit the country.
He questioned how Harry could visit the high-risk country after previously complaining about security issues at home in England.
Wharfe told the DailyMail that the whole trip made Harry’s “hypocrisy” very clear.
He said, “I went to Nigeria with Harry’s mother and father, and it was pretty lawless back then and so you do have to question why he has gone there if he says the safety of his wife and children is uppermost.”
Wharfe added, “He’s going to a high-risk country and I’m sure he will be looked after but he is a high level target and one that would certainly in the feather of anyone looking to make him a dramatic impact.”
