The Duke and Duchess of Sussex received an enthusiastic welcome as they arrived in Nottingham for their first joint public outing in the UK since their return to the country.
Harry and Meghan paid a visit to the Community Recording Studio (CRS) in St Ann's on Thursday, where they encountered crowds of supporters during the first of three public appearances in the city.
Royal-style walkabout
The pair headed directly towards those assembled outside, in scenes echoing a traditional royal walkabout. They beamed, shook hands, embraced supporters and stopped for selfies.
Harry was spotted placing a hand on Meghan's back, with the duo also wrapping their arms around one another during the engagement. The duke knelt down to chat with a young child, while Meghan kissed an elderly woman on the cheek after being presented with a gift from her.
Applause broke out as the couple emerged from a dark-coloured Range Rover, with one woman shouting: "We love you Duchess Meghan, we love you."
Meghan styled her hair in a ponytail and donned a loose-fitting burgundy winter coat. Harry sported a dark suit with an open-necked white shirt.
Further visits planned
The Sussexes are scheduled to attend two further organisations in Nottingham throughout the day: food poverty community action group Himmah Hub, and Epic Partners, which assists young people through sport programmes and mentoring.
While the high-profile visits bear 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 pair withdrew from their duties as working royals six years ago and relocated to the US, in a move commonly referred to as Megxit.
Security arrangements
They turned up by vehicle 11 minutes behind schedule and are being safeguarded by their own private security personnel. Unlike senior working royals, they do not receive police escorts allocated to official royal duties.
The visit nonetheless adhered to some traditional royal protocol. Photographers and reporters assembled outside the location were positioned behind barriers, alongside members of the public, some of whom had brought flowers.
One young fan held a unicorn balloon, while media access inside the event was pooled.
Harry and Meghan are also waiting for a ruling on whether they will be provided taxpayer-funded security while in the UK.
The duke is reportedly worried that the process could be postponed 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 as "public figures" and were reportedly taken aback by the letter outlining their status as private citizens, which was authorised by the King. Thursday's appearances also mark Meghan's first public engagements in the UK in four years.
Her last public appearance at an event in the country was at the funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth II back in 2022.
