Prince Harry, known for his packed schedule of charity events, polo matches, family time and the occasional Royal tour, has a new project on his plate - and it's all thanks to his recent trip to Nigeria. The Duke of Sussex's latest endeavour came to light during his recent trip to the African nation with wife Meghan Markle.
The Prince wrapped up a three-day tour of the African country last week, where he visited several locations. One of these visits was to a groundbreaking new centre that aims to elevate his global support for veterans. At a reception during his tour, Harry was shown plans for the innovative new Invictus Centre, which will offer physical and mental rehabilitation for injured service personnel, reports The Mirror.
At the event, both the Duke and Duchess expressed their gratitude for a gift of traditional clothing from their hosts. Harry then shared how the plans for the new centre gave him "goosebumps," according to People. Harry also went on to commend the resilience of the wounded service personnel present at the event, praising them for not being "defined by their injuries."
Addressing guests, Harry said: "And that is what the new centre you're building is all about. Seeing the plans for the new Invictus Centre gives me goosebumps!"
Prince Harry also gave special recognition to the Nigerian Invictus team as he shared his admiration for how they "represented their service and this country, extraordinarily - won medals and came back with smiles on their faces."
Fashioned by acclaimed architect Kobina Banning, and drawing inspiration from the "rich architectural heritage of courtyard housing", the new centre is expected to be a pioneering institution. Spread across interconnected compounds, the centre will imbue soldiers with a holistic vision of recovery amidst panoramic vistas.
Incorporating walkways, each compound will offer veterans the opportunity to unwind during recovery with provisions being made for family and friends to partake in the process. Facilities will include a range of indoor and outdoor gyms in addition to meditation spaces.
In addition to unveiling plans for the forthcoming Invictus Centre, the Duke visited a local military hospital in Kaduna where he spent time with several young soldiers healing from traumatic injuries such as gunshots and blast wounds. His interactions mirrored the empathetic spirit of his late mother, Princess Diana, as he engaged deeply with the soldiers, offering handshakes and lending an ear to their stories.
Furthermore, Prince Harry also took time out to listen to inspiring tales from local children conquering disability challenges, reaffirming his dedication to making a difference.
