Royal family 18-19 March: King Charles bids farewell to Nigeria's President as state visit wraps up, more

We exclusively interviewed royal photographer Chris Jackson, who explained the story behind his 'powerful' photo of Kate Middleton at Prince Philip's funeral, and revealed why Prince Louis always had him chuckling behind the camera - read it here. 

Spotting an ornate Yoruba throne and footstool that was presented to Queen Elizabeth II by the People of Nigeria during her official visit in 1956, the King told his guest, "Oh look, look."

Remarking on its condition, he added: "Nothing's faded." The monarch and the President then moved on to view a photograph of Omoba Aina, the daughter of a Yoruba chief, who was captured by King Ghezo of Dahomey in 1848 but was later brought to the UK by Captain Frederick Forbes, who had gone to West Africa to encourage King Ghezo to abandon the slave trade.

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During the tour of the Royal Collection, the King spoke animatedly about a portrait of a Nigerian man by the artist James Hart Dyke, painted from a sketch he made as Charles's official tour artist on a visit to West Africa in 2006.

"This is one of mine," he told his guests. "One of my ones. I always take an artist on every official visit, so this is one he did in 2006. So I've got quite a collection from different parts of the world and the Commonwealth, over all of 40-something years. This is just one of them." 

"One I shall never forget was in Kano," he continued, with a smile. "You know, when they charge you, on horseback? Fantastic. All those characters waving guns in the air." 

The King is thought to have been referring to a durbar in the Nigerian city, a vibrant parade involving galloping horses.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who live in Montecito, California, are the subject of a new piece by Variety examining their relationship with Netflix. Read what the famous couple have said about their working habits in the wake of the news, here.

Buckingham Palace revealed the gifts exchanged between the King and Queen and the Nigerian President and his wife. They are as follows: 

The King and Queen gave the President and his wife an arch-topped silver photograph frame engraved with their joint cypher, which had a signed photograph of the King and Queen enclosed inside. 

The President gave the King an Eyo statuette commemorating the Eyo festival. The Lagos celebration, which is deeply rooted in Yoruba tradition, is held to honour royalty, ancestors, and historical events. 

The President's wife gave the Queen a 'Matriarchs of Nigeria' jewellery box, topped with the relief of the faces of powerful and important Nigerian women, while the Queen gave Mrs Tinubu a silver and enamel bowl made by Northern Irish silversmith, Cara Murphy, in a bespoke box. 

The Prince of Wales joined his father, King Charles, and his stepmum, Queen Camilla, in welcoming the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and his wife during the first day of the state visit at Windsor Castle - and planted a rare kiss on his stepmum's cheek as a greeting. Read more here. 

© Getty Images

Prince William was the perfect husband during today's Nigerian state visit when he gently placed his hand on Kate's back, helping her into the carriage. Watch the sweet moment here. 

A major change in protocol happened during the Nigerian state visit, as one traditional aspect of this week's state visit is different from usual. There will be no welcome lunch. 

This is because the President is a Muslim and is fasting for Ramadan. The two-day state visit falls at the end of the holy month, during which many Muslims fast and refrain from eating or drinking between dawn and sunset. 

The Royal Family's official Instagram account shared some behind-the-scenes action from the state visit today, including the carriage rides and the glorious sunshine above Windsor Castle: 

I'm handing things over to Laura Sutcliffe, who'll be taking you through this evening's events as the state visit continues. 

Don't go anywhere - stay with us for all the best pictures and updates as we get them!

Good evening, royal fans! I will be with you this evening, reporting on all the royal news as it happens. Enjoy!

On Wednesday evening, Meghan Markle took to Instagram, where she shared new images featuring her four-year-old daughter, Princess Lilibet.

The post, which showed the wife of Prince Harry delicately arranging flowers at her Montecito home, also featured her children helping her put together the floral display. 

Although her son, Prince Archie, 6, was not seen, Meghan could be heard calling out to him in the video that featured in the post. Lilibet looked lovely as she assisted her mother with the blooms, and her red hair looked longer than ever.

© @Meghan

 "Mama's little helpers," Meghan penned, explaining to followers that the montage was behind-the-scenes footage of a shoot for her lifestyle brand, As Ever.

© @Meghan

The Duchess of Sussex has launched a gift box containing flowers, tea, and honey – with lifestyle brand As Ever.

The 'Garden Tea Bloom Box' costs £191 and contains herbal peppermint tea and sage honey with honeycomb and fresh flowers – including peonies and jasmine.

It is said to bring together "fresh blooms and simple pantry comforts".

The limited-edition product is made in collaboration with High Camp Supply, a luxury flower purveyor based in San Francisco.

Queen Camilla looked beautiful in a striking baby pink outfit on Wednesday afternoon, as she stepped out at Windsor Castle for the first day of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria's state visit.

© Chris Jackson/coolGetty Images

The royal opted for a designer creation by one of her favourite occasionwear labels, Fiona Clare. The tailored coat dress nodded to the 'Barbiecore' trend, which was coined in 2023, after the release of the movie of the same name, in which Margot Robbie starred.

For more details, check out Fashion and Beauty News Editor Laura Sutcliffe's article here.

If you are stuck with what to do this evening, why not play HELLO!’s amazing matching card game? It tests your knowledge of royal nicknames – and you can see how your performance compares to other readers!

© POOL/AFP via Getty Images

For more details, check out the game here.

The King and Queen and Prince and Princess of Wales led President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu in a royal procession to the glittering State Banquet at Windsor Castle on Wednesday evening.

© Getty Images

The 47.32m-long table was decorated with seasonal flowers from the Windsor Estate and the Savill Garden, including narcissi, tulips, hellebores, hyacinths, primroses, mimosa, and irises. 

The Princess of Wales looked magnificent on Wednesday evening as the royal family hosted their first State Banquet of 2026. 

© POOL/AFP via Getty Images

The mother-of-three chose to wear the Lovers Knot Tiara, her most-worn piece, which topped her magnificent mane perfectly. The royal chose to wear a green dress by Andrew Gn. The design featured dramatic sleeve detail, which finished with sleek, gathered cuffs.

Touchingly, she donned the late Queen Elizabeth II's earrings for the occasion.

For more on Kate's outfit this evening, check out Fashion and Beauty News Editor Laura Sutcliffe's article here.

The Princess of Wales embraced the royal art of fashion diplomacy at the state banquet by matching her gown to the colour of the Nigerian national flag.

Kate opted for a glamorous, long-sleeved, green evening dress by Singaporean fashion designer Andrew Gn at the celebration in honour of Nigerian leader, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and his wife, Oluremi Tinubu.

© Getty Images

The royal's choice to honour Nigeria's flag through her outfit emulates the late Queen Elizabeth II, who often incorporated a nation's national emblems or colours into her outfits.

During a speech at the state banquet this evening, King Charles told the Nigerian President, President Bola Tinubu, that when "rain clouds gather," their nations can "tighten the grip of friendship" in a speech celebrating the West African nation's contribution to British life.

© Alamy Stock Photo

For a full report on the wonderful evening, take a look at HELLO! Royal Editor Emily Nash's article here.

It's been wonderful reporting on the royal news tonight.

Have a fabulous rest of the evening!

Good night.

Good morning!

Welcome back royal fans for another day of royal news. 

It's shaping up to be busy day for the Royal Family as they wrap up the President of Nigeria's historic State Visit to the UK after a splendid welcoming ceremony and state banquet last night. 

Prince William will later step out for a solo appearance as he joins the international delegations who have travelled to the UK to see Homewards' work in action. Meanwhile, the Princess Royal will be out and about for a court meeting followed up a lunch before heading to the Military Club later in the day. 

Stay tuned royal fans for all the latest news on the royals of the world!

Did you know, Princess Diana had a go to rock anthem she used to play for her young sons, Prince William and Prince Harry when they were in the car? 

Apparently, the late royal, who was famously friends with musicians like George Michael and Elton John, used to blast none other than 1980s rock hit The Wild Boys by Duran Duran and would sing along with her sons. 

© Tim Graham Photo Library via Get

Bass guitarist John Taylor revealed in an interview with Entertainment Tonight: "When we met Harry and William, they said, 'Oh, we used to sit in the back seat and mum would play 'Wild Boys', and we would sing along. That idea stuck with me that the little boys would be going 'wild boys', that that would be a moment for them."

On the other side of the world, Denmark's Queen Mary and King Frederik X are still in Australia on their six-day state visit to Mary's native country. The royals were out at Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens on 18 March, with Mary looking like a floral dream in a gorgeous maxi dress from one of her go-to designer labels. 

© POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Mary stunned in a V neck dress with flowing long sleeves from Sydney-based brand, Zimmermann, who she has worn on multiple occasions, including during her visit to Australia's capital Canberra just days earlier. 

The pink-hued dress is one Mary has worn out before on multiple occasions, including for the confirmation of her nephew, Henrik, Count of Monpezat, in 2023.

King Charles has farewelled President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, this morning after a historic state visit to the UK and an elegant state banquet on Wednesday night at Windsor Castle. The royal was joined by his wife, Queen Camilla, who looked regal in red for the formal occasion. 

Charles shook hands with the President as he departed Windsor Castle in Berkshire on Thursday on the final day of his historic two-day state visit. The trip marked Nigeria's first state visit to the UK in 37 years.

© Alamy Stock Photo

President Tinubu and the First Lady arrived in the UK on Wednesday morning and were welcomed by Charles and Camilla, as well as the Prince and Princess of Wales, in Windsor.  

Queen Camilla looked regal in red as she joined King Charles to farewell President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, on their two-day state visit to the UK. 

Camilla opted for a long-sleeved red dress for the morning as she stood beside the First Lady to say goodbye at Windsor Castle on Thursday morning. 

© Alamy Stock Photo

King Charles dressed formal in a suit to big farewell to the President with a handshake. The President and First Lady arrived in the UK on Wednesday where they were welcomed at Windsor and attended a state banquet in the evening with the royals. 

While King Charles and Queen Camilla farewell Nigeria's President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu in Windsor, the Princes of Wales has stepped out in Bournemouth for a solo visit. 

William arrived for a sunny spring day in Dorset at Bournemouth Pier to see Homewards' youth homelessness work on Thursday morning. 

© Alamy Stock Photo

On his solo outing, the royal will join international delegations from several other countries, including Australia, Canada, Belgium, the Netherlands and Finland, who have travelled to the UK to see the work in action. William dressed formal in a suit for the occasion. 

King Charles and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria said farewell outside the sovereign’s entrance at Windsor Castle this morning after a two-day visit marked by 'genuine warmth and mutual respect'. 

The royal and President spoke outside on the sunny spring morning before shaking hands and saying goodbye, with Queen Camilla telling First Lady Oluremi Tinubu: "Well it's a lovely day."

A trumpeter sounded the royal salute as the President and First Lady departed the Castle grounds. 

© Alamy Stock Photo

"The visit was marked by genuine warmth and mutual respect from the King and the President," a palace spokesperson said of the historic state visit. 

"As demonstrated from their two speeches at the State Banquet, there exists a strong friendship and wealth of opportunity between our two nations."

The spokesperson continued: "With the complexity of geopolitical issues across the world, it underscores the importance of standing close and proud with our Commonwealth partners."ella

The Prince of Wales shook hands with delegates on his morning solo outing to Bournemouth in Dorset. The sun was out as Prince William arrived at Bournemouth Pier where he joined international delegations from Australia, Canada, Belgium, the Netherlands and Finland for a day of seeing the work that the Royal Foundation's Homewards does to help end youth homelessness. 

© Alamy Stock Photo

William launched Homewards with the Royal Foundation in 2023 as a five-year program with six locations around the UK. The Prince of Wales looked in good spirits as he greeted the international delegates who travelled to the UK to see the charitable initiative in action. 

It's been a busy start to the day for King Charles who, after bidding farewell to Nigeria's President at Windsor Castle in the morning, has travelled to Seaford for a reception with local members of the community. 

The royal had what looked like a cup of tea in hand as he met with members of charity organisations and partner bodies who have contributed to the Seven Sisters National Nature Reserve. The reserve has officially been declared the 13th national nature reserve and part of the King's series of reserves. 

© Getty Images

Charles was there in person on Thursday to open the reserve and inaugurate a path which has been named the King Charles III England Coast Path in his honour.