When is a royal tour not a royal tour? When it features the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, that’s when. I give you their triumphal tour of Nigeria. Perhaps the giveaway moment suggestive of a non-royal tour was when Harry stood up for God Save the King and appeared to glower throughout, the one cross-face moment in a tour that was all beams. Still, the memory was fresh of his trip home during which his father couldn’t see his way clear to meeting up.
The perpetual question around the Harry and Meghan phenomenon — viz, what are they for? — seems to be closer to resolution. They are quasi-royals, who perform most of the feelgood elements of a state visit — uplifting speeches, photo-opportunities — without so much expensive security. And the unimpeacable excuse for it is the Invictus Games, a sporting occasion for wounded veterans in which Nigeria is taking part.
