Meghan Markle's Nigerian Roots Questioned After Previously Revealing Her Maltese Ancestry; Netizen Says 'It's Confusing'
Meghan Markle's ancestry raised several eyebrows because many got confused by her recent statement.
The former actress claimed she was 43% Nigerian and spoke about it when she visited Nigeria over the weekend with her husband, Prince Harry. However, many netizens were not convinced by her ancestral claims because she allegedly made a similar statement when she visited Malta in 2015, causing some to wonder whether she was a Nigerian or Maltese.
"Meghan Markle did say she had Maltese heritage. Please, where did 43% Nigerian come from? I think these people are lying," one wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
"Where is your evidence? We cannot take the word of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as they have been proved as liars in a court of law. Previously, Meghan Markle claimed she was Maltese and now 43% Nigerian, it's confusing, don't you think?" another added.
"She never mention[s] her Maltese roots now! Yes, Meghan Markle has indeed mentioned her Maltese heritage. In 2015, she visited Malta to explore her family roots. Her great-great-grandmother, Mary Bird, was born in Malta in 1862," a third person remarked.
"Joe Biden claiming he is Irish and Meghan Markle claiming she's Maltese then going 'home' to Nigeria shows the enduring power of American racial/ethnic essentialism. However, nowadays, it's more like a Pick'n'Mix: you can choose which parts to retain and which to discard," a fourth person opined.
While many were critical of Markle's Nigerian and Maltese roots, some netizens defended her. According to them, she may have Nigerian and Maltese roots.
"Why do people act shocked that Meghan Markle has both Nigerian & Maltese roots? Heritage can be quite heterogeneous," one wrote, defending Markle."
"By the way, she said her great gran was born in Malta; she never said she was Maltese. Get your facts right," another claimed.
Markle visited Malta in 2015 and took part in a photoshoot for Elle UK magazine. She was even photographed wearing a ghonnella, a traditional Maltese cloak. Aside from posing for photos, she sampled local foods during the visit.
In the interview, Markle said the trip was "about trying to understand where I come from" and "fitting in a piece of the puzzle," the Daily Mail reported. Markle also said that she blended well with the people.
"To come somewhere where you so quickly settle into feeling welcomed is really special... I started to say, 'Oh my gosh, I do sort of blend in,'" Markle said.
"Before I came, people were telling me, 'When you go to Malta, everyone will look like you,' and I started to say, 'Oh my gosh, I do sort of blend in,' and it's the loveliest feeling. The Maltese people have been so kind.'"
Markle also wrote about her trip to Malta in her now-defunct lifestyle blog The Tig. According to her, she was invited to visit the "beautiful island" where her great-grandmother "hailed" from, and after the visit, "it felt like home."
