Kate Middleton and Prince William Reprise Royal Roles as They Welcome Nigeria's President for State Visit

Simon PerryWed, March 18, 2026 at 12:58 PM UTC

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Kate Middleton and Prince William pose alongside Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu and his wife Oluremi Tinubu as they greet them at the Fairmont Hotel in Windsor on March 18, 2026, on the first of a two-day state visit to the U.K.Credit: Yui Mok / POOL / AFP via Getty -

Kate Middleton and Prince William welcomed Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, first lady Oluremi Tinubu, to the U.K. for their official state visit

The Prince and Princess of Wales met the couple at a hotel in Windsor Great Park before accompanying them to meet King Charles and Queen Camilla

The couple have been the first royals to host visiting dignitaries for recent state visits

Kate Middleton and Prince William are once again taking on the roles of royal welcome committee.

The Prince and Princess of Wales were the first royals to meet with the president of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and his wife, first lady Oluremi Tinubu, at the start of their state visit to the U.K. on Wednesday, March 18.

Prince William, 43, and Princess Kate, 44, met their guests at a hotel in Windsor Great Park. It is a job that the royal heir and his wife have been tasked with for each state visit in recent years, including the visit by United States President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump in September 2025.

Kate Middleton and Prince William pose alongside Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu and his wife Oluremi Tinubu as they greet them at the Fairmont Hotel in Windsor on March 18, 2026.Credit: Yui Mok / POOL / AFP via Getty

Princess Kate wore a special outfit with ties to Nigeria for the occasion. Her gray and white ensemble was by British-Nigerian designer Tolu Coker, whose collection King Charles saw when he recently went to London Fashion Week.

After their initial greeting, the royal couple and their guests took a ride to Windsor, where they were greeted by King Charles and Queen Camilla. Standing with their visitors on the dais, situated in the town's Dachet Road, the national anthem was played, and then a Royal Salute was fired in the Home Park in Windsor and at the Tower of London.

Kate Middleton and Prince William receive receive President of Nigeria Bola Ahmed Tinubu (right) at the Fairmont Windsor Park hotel on March 18, 2026.Credit: Yui Mok / POOL / AFP via Getty

After the presentations and introductions were made, the Sovereign’s Escort gave a Royal Salute, and the Nigerian National Anthem was played.

The royals then escorted the Nigerian dignitaries in horse-drawn carriages through the streets of Windsor, along the walls of the famous castle and into the historic residence.

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The carriage procession saw King Charles and President Tinubu ride together in the Australian State Coach, followed by Queen Camilla and the first lady in the Scottish State Coach.

Prince William and Princess Kate rode in the Irish State Coach with the Honourable Lateef Fagbemi, Attorney-General and Honourable Minister for Justice, and Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Honourable Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

On the quadrangle, a guard of honor from the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards was in place. President Tinubu and the King inspected them before rejoining Queen Camilla and Mrs. Tinubu, along with William and Kate, as they all viewed a march past by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, the Sovereign’s Escort Rank and the Guard of Honor.

There are a series of engagements throughout the rest of the day, including a viewing of Nigeria-connected items from the Royal Collection. The day will end when the Nigerian couple will be entertained with a lavish state banquet in Windsor Castle's St. George's Hall.

The Nigerian delegation arrived on British soil on Tuesday evening, when they landed at Stansted airport, just north of London.

The visit, which was announced on Feb. 7, comes nearly two years after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visited the African country.

It is the fourth state visit that the royals have recently hosted at Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. With Buckingham Palace undergoing $463 million worth of renovations, the grand ballroom and other state rooms, which would usually be used for ceremonial occasions like this, have not been available.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”