A tweet by British journalist Christopher Wilson has stirred anger among Nigerians, comparing them to Nazis for welcoming Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, to Nigeria. Wilson’s now-deleted tweet drew widespread condemnation, particularly during the three-day visit of the royal couple to Nigeria, which garnered significant attention worldwide.
Wilson’s tweet, posted on Tuesday, compared Nigerians welcoming the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to the actions of the Duke of Windsor and Wallis Simpson during their tour of Germany in 1937. Wilson suggested that Nigeria’s human rights record is comparable to Nazi Germany’s, drawing parallels between the two.
Wilson, author of ‘A Greater Love: Charles and Camilla,’ was referring to Wallis Simpson, an American socialite who married King Edward VIII after his abdication. Edward’s decision to marry Simpson, a divorcée, caused a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication in 1936. After their marriage, they became known as the Duke and Duchess of Windsor and traveled extensively, including a visit to Adolf Hitler in Nazi Germany.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to step back from their royal duties and move to California in 2020 didn’t stop them from retaining their titles. Wilson justified his comparison by citing a 2023 report from the United States Department of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, highlighting human rights abuses in Nigeria.
Wilson’s tweet sparked outrage and criticism from Nigerians and netizens alike. Responding on social media platforms, many condemned his comparison, calling it unjustified and racist. Others pointed out the vast differences between the situations of Harry and Meghan and those of historical figures like Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson.
Journalist Rufai Oseni criticized Wilson’s tweet on Arise TV’s The Morning Show, denouncing it as racist and unjustified. Others on social media echoed similar sentiments, criticizing Wilson’s stance as indicative of entrenched racism.
Despite the controversy, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle continued their visit to Nigeria, engaging in various activities throughout the weekend.
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