The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are still faced with a big challenge despite their warm welcome in Nottingham, an expert has claimed. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle witnessed an enthusiastic welcome on Thursday, during what was their first joint engagement back in the Duke’s home country in four years. Their last appearance in Britain was in September 2022, for the late Queen’s funeral.
Warm Welcome in Nottingham
Harry and Meghan arrived at Community Recording Studio (CRS) at about 10.30am. At first, it looked like fewer than 100 people might be in the crowd, but shortly before their arrival, some latecomers helped boost the numbers to between 150 and 200.
More than 60 members of the media from around the world were also there to report on the visit. Some 20 of those gathered in the crowd were from Nottingham's Mencap - a local charity that supports people with learning disabilities and autism, as well as vulnerable individuals. Several fans had brought flowers and balloons with them to give to the royal couple as they waited behind a barrier for the Sussexes to arrive.
Expert Warns of Long Road Ahead
When the couple arrived, they embarked on a 20-minute walkabout before the start of the engagement. Now, one PR expert has warned that one pleasant day of engagements does not compensate for years of step backs.
Renae Smith, founder of PR and branding agency The Atticism, told the Daily Express: “As for trajectory, this is the right direction, but they are at the very beginning of a very long road and without their titles.
“One warm afternoon in Nottingham does not shift national opinion; a sustained effort does.”
Sustained Effort Required
She added: “The question is never whether they can produce one good engagement; they always could.
“The question is whether they can do this ten more times, then twenty, without an interview, a documentary or a grievance resurfacing to undo it.
“If this becomes the pattern, opinion will soften slowly, almost without people noticing. If it becomes content, it is over. So, a good day, a promising start, and a very long way to go.”
