The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are reportedly "unfazed" by the Royal Family's decision to rule out a return to official duties, with a friend claiming the couple never accepted being denied a "half-in, half-out" role.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were greeted by cheering crowds, flowers and gifts during their first joint public appearance in Britain since returning to the UK. The couple visited three charitable organisations in Nottingham on Thursday, with well-wishers handing them bouquets, gift bags and foil balloons believed to be intended for their children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five.
"It's great to be back," Meghan told one member of the crowd, while Prince Harry responded "great" when a journalist asked how it felt to return to Nottingham.
Warm reception amid royal decision
The warm reception came just weeks after King Charles reaffirmed that the Sussexes should be regarded as "private citizens", rather than working members of the Royal Family. A friend of the couple has now suggested they do not consider the decision to have settled the question of how they can carry out public engagements.
"It doesn't trouble them. They never agreed they wouldn't be half in, half out. That was what was decided and foisted upon them," the friend told HELLO! magazine. "They're just living their lives and they can, because they’re financially independent."
The comments come six years after the Duke and Duchess stepped back from royal duties and moved to North America, following discussions with the late Queen Elizabeth II over their future roles.
Background to the couple's royal exit
The couple had proposed a "half-in, half-out" arrangement that would have allowed them to retain some royal duties while pursuing independent commercial work. The late Queen ultimately ruled out that model, and the Sussexes ceased to be working royals in 2020.
Their Nottingham visit had many of the features of a traditional royal walkabout, with the couple greeting members of the public, posing for selfies and accepting flowers and presents. However, the engagements were not official royal duties.
The city was a significant choice for the couple as it was where they made their first official joint public appearance back in November 2017, shortly after announcing their engagement.
Charity visits in Nottingham
Their first stop was the Community Recording Studio in St Ann’s, an organisation they visited in 2017 and which Prince Harry has continued to support. A spokesperson for the Sussexes told the BBC they were back in Nottingham primarily because they supported and believed in the organisations they were visiting.
The couple then visited Himmah, a charity working to tackle food poverty, where Meghan reunited with four women who contributed to a charity cookbook connected to the community kitchen project she supported following the Grenfell Tower fire. Meghan previously donated £10,000 from proceeds of the cookbook to support the charity’s work. "We feel very protective of her. We absolutely love her," contributor Leila Hedjem said.
The couple finished their day at youth charity Epic Partners, which supports young people through activities and mentoring. A representative for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex declined to comment.
