WINNING FANS IN NIGERIA ON FIRST MAJOR TRIP IN FIVE YEARS THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF SUSSEX

CHAMPION GOOD CAUSES ON A RETURN TO WORLD STAGE

HELLO!'s royal editor EMILY NASH looks at Harry and Meghan's African journey and gives her view of its importance and impact

Our royal editor Emily with Prince Harry (together left), whom she has accompanied on royal tours all over the world 

Their three-day stay in Nigeria stage for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Nearly five years on from their last major royal overseas visit, their trip had plenty of echoes of royal tours past and present.

Spanning three locations and featuring diplomatic dressing including at least eight outfit changes lively local dancing and plenty of good causes, it certainly seemed to follow a familiar format.

Over the years I've travelled with Harry to Oman, Abu Dhabi, the US, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Lesotho and with him and Meghan to Morocco, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, Fiji and Tonga.

But this time was different, not least in the way the trip was covered, with a single print reporter and agency photographer sending copy and pictures around the world and a TV crew doing the same for broadcasters in the UK and US.

TIGHT CHOREOGRAPHY

Given the couple's well-publicised issues with some sections of the media, it came as no surprise that they chose to control the coverage.

They also took a personal photographer, the couple's friend Misan Harriman - not unlike the Prince and Princess of Wales, who took Matt Porteous with them on their 2022 visit to the Caribbean.

The broad themes - the power of sport to change lives, female empowerment and mental health - were ones Harry and Meghan have championed for years, but this time they were doing so outside the royal fold.