The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were welcomed with cheers upon their arrival in Nottingham for their first joint public appearance in the UK since returning to the country.
Harry and Meghan visited the Community Recording Studio (CRS) in St Ann's on Thursday, where they were greeted by crowds of well-wishers during the first of three public appearances scheduled in the city.
The couple headed straight towards those gathered outside, in scenes reminiscent of a traditional royal walkabout. They smiled, shook hands, embraced supporters and posed for selfies.
Warm Welcome for the Couple
Harry was spotted placing a hand on Meghan's back, with the pair also putting their arms around one another throughout the visit. The duke crouched down to speak with a young child, while Meghan kissed an older woman on the cheek after receiving a gift from her.
Cheers rang out as the couple stepped from a dark-coloured Range Rover, with one woman calling out: "We love you Duchess Meghan, we love you."
Meghan wore her hair in a ponytail and was dressed in a loose-fitting burgundy winter coat, while Harry opted for a dark suit with an open-necked white shirt.
Three Organisations on the Itinerary
The Sussexes are due to visit two further organisations in Nottingham throughout the day: food poverty community action group Himmah Hub, and Epic Partners, which supports young people through sport programmes and mentoring.
While the high-profile visits bear all the hallmarks of official royal engagements, they do not form part of the monarchy's formal programme. A letter to Government stakeholders authorised by the King last month clarified that Harry and Meghan remain "private citizens".
The couple stepped back from their roles as working royals six years ago and relocated to the US, in a decision widely referred to as Megxit.
Security Arrangements and Protocol
They arrived by car 11 minutes behind schedule and are being accompanied by their own private security team. Unlike senior working royals, they do not receive police convoys allocated to official royal engagements.
The visit nevertheless adhered to some established royal protocol. Photographers and journalists assembled outside the venue were positioned behind barriers, alongside members of the public, some of whom had brought flowers.
One young admirer held a unicorn balloon, while media access inside the event was pooled.
Harry and Meghan are also awaiting a ruling on whether they will be granted taxpayer-funded security while in the UK.
The duke is reportedly worried that the process could face delays after Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced a review of security arrangements for the Royal Family and public figures following the death of Reform UK's justice spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe.
The couple are understood to consider themselves "public figures" and were reportedly taken aback by the letter outlining their status as private citizens, which was authorised by the King. Thursday's visits also represent Meghan's first public engagements on British soil in four years.
The last time she appeared publicly at an event in the country was at the funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.
