Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made their first official public appearance together since returning to the UK, visiting Nottingham for multiple engagements. The couple smiled and greeted cheering crowds, chatting and posing for photos with fans. For some commentators, the display raised questions about the security concerns they have cited in their return.
Security Arrangements Under Scrutiny
Prince Harry has been in discussions with the Home Office to have his security measures reinstated, which he lost when he stepped down from his royal role in 2020. He has argued that he and his family face an imminent threat in the UK and believes his taxpayer-funded security needs review. With the King confirming that Harry and Meghan are to be treated as "private citizens," their complicated security situation has come under the spotlight again during activities such as visits to charitable organisations in Nottingham.
The issue was discussed on the Daily Express's recent episode of Royals Unscripted. Royal editor Emily Ferguson and commentator Carole Malone unpacked the couple's return to the spotlight for their first joint UK engagements.
"Just a Phone Number"
Emily Ferguson revealed that "typically, engagements such as this are embargoed. They rock up, and no one's aware of it. I understand that the decision came from them to pre-announce to the public that they're heading. Is it only unsafe when it suits them?"
When Carole Malone questioned their police situation, Emily revealed that "they've basically just got a phone number." She continued: "So it's kind of a police liaison officer. They let the police know if they're going to Nottingham or they're going to Oxfordshire, wherever they're going, they will ring that specific constabulary and say, 'We're going to be here on this day, do what you want'."
Carole argued: "The Met Police are not guns for hire, and they're certainly not guns for hire for 'private citizens', which we're told Harry and Meghan now are."
First Joint Outing Since Return
Prince Harry has made several public appearances since the couple's return to the UK, but today's visit to Nottingham marked their first official outing together as a pair. A PR expert has said they scored a major "win" after their appearance.
Renae Smith, founder of PR and branding agency The Atticism, told the Daily Express: "My overall take is that this was a quietly well-executed day, and I would go as far as saying it is the most strategically sound thing they have done since landing back in Britain."
