Duchess of Edinburgh Misses Nigerian State Banquet

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, was absent from the formal dinner at Windsor Castle honoring Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 1:37am by Ben Kaplan

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The senior British royals hosted their first state banquet of the year on Wednesday evening, honoring Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu. However, while Prince Edward was in attendance, his wife, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, appeared to have missed the event. The Duchess has had a busy travel schedule lately, including a recent trip to New York and the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Italy.

Why it matters

The Nigerian state visit is the first by a Nigerian head-of-state to the United Kingdom in 37 years, and the first time since 1928 that the British royal family has hosted a Muslim head of state during Ramadan. The Duchess of Edinburgh's absence from the high-profile event is notable, as she is known as one of the hardest working members of the royal family.

The details

Just last week, Sophie made a quiet visit to New York to attend the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women meeting. That was right after traveling to Italy with Prince Edward, where they were supporting British athletes at the 2026 Winter Paralympics. The Duke of Edinburgh has served as patron of the British Paralympic Association since 2003.

  • The senior British royals hosted their first state banquet of the year on Wednesday evening (March 19, 2026).
  • The most recent Nigerian state visit to the UK was in 1989 when General Ibrahim Babangida met with Queen Elizabeth.
  • This is the first time since 1928 that the British royal family has hosted a Muslim head of state during Ramadan.

The players

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh

The wife of Prince Edward and one of the hardest working members of the British royal family.

Prince Edward

The husband of Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, and a member of the British royal family.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu

The President of Nigeria, who was honored with a state banquet at Windsor Castle.

Oluremi Tinubu

The First Lady of Nigeria, who attended the state banquet at Windsor Castle with her husband.

General Ibrahim Babangida

The former President of Nigeria who visited the UK in 1989 and met with Queen Elizabeth.

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What they’re saying

“Just last week, Sophie made a quiet visit to New York to attend the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women meeting.”

— Rachel King, News writer at Town & Country

“The Duke of Edinburgh has served as patron of the British Paralympic Association since 2003.”

— Rachel King, News writer at Town & Country

What’s next

The Nigerian state visit concludes with tonight's dinner at Windsor Castle.

The takeaway

The Duchess of Edinburgh's absence from the high-profile state banquet highlights her busy travel schedule and the significance of the first Nigerian state visit to the UK in nearly four decades.