The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were cheered as they arrived at their first joint engagement on British soil since their return to the UK.
Harry and Meghan were welcomed to the Community Recording Studio (CRS) in St Ann’s, Nottingham, for a run of three quasi-royal public appearances in the city on Thursday.
The couple set up home back in England in August in a dramatic u-turn six years after sparking the Megxit crisis and quitting the working monarchy for a new life in the US.
Walkabout with well-wishers
The pair went straight to greet the crowds of well-wishers, just like a traditional royal walkabout – smiling, shaking hands, giving hugs and taking selfies with the members of the public.
Harry could be seen putting his hand on Meghan’s back and at one point the couple put their arms around each other. The duke crouched down to speak to one youngster. Meghan was seen to kiss one older lady on the cheek as the woman presented her with a gift.
The crowd cheered as the couple got out of a dark-coloured Range Rover, before one woman shouted: “We love you Duchess Meghan, we love you.”
Details of the visit
Meghan, wearing her hair in a ponytail, was dressed in a loose-fitting burgundy winter coat, while Harry was in a dark suit, with an open-necked white shirt.
They will also visit food poverty community action group Himmah Hub, and Epic Partners, which supports young people through sports programmes and mentoring.
The high-profile events are not official royal engagements – with a letter to Government stakeholders authorised by the King last month clarifying the Sussexes remain “private citizens” – they appeared to bear all the hallmarks of such.
Security and status
But the duke and duchess were 11 minutes’ late arriving by car. They are being protected by their private security team during the event, and do not enjoy the benefit of the police convoys assigned to senior working royals.
In keeping with traditional royal engagements, the scores of photographers and journalists gathered outside were kept behind barriers, as were the crowds of well-wishers, some clutching flowers, with one youngster holding a unicorn balloon, while media access inside the event was pooled.
Harry and Meghan are waiting to hear whether they will be granted taxpayer-funded security, with the duke said to fear a delay after Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced a review of security measures for the royal family and public figures in the wake of the death of Reform UK’s justice spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe.
The duke and duchess are said to consider themselves “public figures” and were caught off-guard by the letter, authorised by the King, outlining their position. It marks the first time in four years that Meghan has appeared publicly at events in the UK, the last time being the late Queen’s funeral in 2022.
