Britain’s monarch, King Charles III, left guests pleasantly surprised after incorporating Nigerian languages and cultural expressions into his speech at a state banquet held in Windsor Castle for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other dignitaries.
Opening his remarks in Yoruba, the King greeted attendees with “Ẹ káàbọ̀, ṣé dáadáa ni” (Welcome, how are you?), drawing warm laughter and applause from the audience.
He went on to showcase his awareness of Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage by referencing a Yoruba proverb emphasizing unity, an Igbo saying centered on the value of knowledge, and a Hausa idiom reflecting change and progress.
Bringing his speech to a lively close, King Charles switched to Nigerian Pidgin, declaring, “Naija no dey carry last!”—a statement that sparked enthusiastic reactions across the hall.
The banquet formed part of Nigeria’s historic state visit to the United Kingdom, the first of its kind in 37 years. During his address, the monarch also praised Nigeria’s growing global influence, describing the nation as both an economic powerhouse and a cultural force, while acknowledging the longstanding ties between the two countries.
The moment has since gained widespread attention online, with many Nigerians expressing delight at the King’s unexpected use of local languages.
