Meghan Markle And Prince Harry Break Royal Protocol By Keeping Over 20 Gifts From Nigeria Tour: Report
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry embarked on a three-day excursion through Nigeria last weekend, returning with more than just memories from their journey.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex received more than 20 unique gifts during their visit to the country, which they were able to bring back with them, freed from the constraints of royal protocol, according to the 'New York Post.'
The assortment of gifts reportedly included jewelry, artwork and clothing.
Traditionally, royal protocol dictates that certain gifts cannot be accepted by family members during official visits.
According to the official royal guidelines, gifts from unfamiliar individuals are typically declined if there are any doubts regarding the appropriateness of the donor or the nature of the gift itself.
Permissible gifts include flowers, food items, and books, as long as their value does not exceed £150, or $190 in U.S. dollars.
The guidelines also state "In all cases, and particularly on official overseas trips, organisations and individuals should be discouraged from offering extravagant gifts, i.e. gifts of high monetary value. Whilst always remaining sensitive to local custom, Households should explore alternative gestures of goodwill during preliminary discussions about engagements."
Regarding gifts from commercial enterprises in the UK, the general practice is to decline them, unless they are presented as a memento of an official visit to the enterprise's establishment or to commemorate a royal marriage or other significant personal event.
The policy says: "When gifts are accepted, the consent of the Member of The Royal Family should be contingent upon the enterprise undertaking not to exploit the gift for commercial purposes."
Every gift accepted by the royal family is meticulously recorded and managed, often finding its place within the Royal Collection or entrusted on loan to reputable institutions.
While Prince William and Kate Middleton are bound by stringent guidelines during their royal tours, Meghan, 42, and Harry enjoy greater latitude in their choices and actions.
Having stepped down as senior working royals in 2020, the couple now resides in California with their two children; Archie, 5, and Lilibet, 2.
As a result, the trip to Nigeria was undertaken in a private capacity, although it has been dubbed by many experts as a "faux royal tour."
