Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are making their first joint public appearance in the UK in six years today, a move set to overshadow a significant royal engagement by King Charles.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are heading to Nottingham for a series of three quasi-royal appearances. Their itinerary includes visits to the city's Community Recording Studio (CRS), Himmah Hub, a food poverty community action group, and Epic Partners, an organisation supporting young people through sports programmes and mentoring.
King Charles' Poignant Welsh Parliament Appearance
Meanwhile, the King and Queen will attend the ceremonial opening of the Welsh Parliament. This appearance is particularly poignant as it marks the first time Charles has attended the event as King.
The royal couple last attended the event, which is held after a Senedd election, in 2021, alongside Queen Elizabeth II. The King is expected to address the Siambr (Senedd debating chamber) alongside First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth and Huw Irranca-Davies, the Llywydd (presiding officer).
Sussexes' Status as Private Citizens
For Harry and Meghan, while these high-profile events are not official royal engagements, they are likely to bear all the hallmarks of such. A letter to Government stakeholders authorised by the King last month clarified that the Sussexes remain "private citizens."
The duke and duchess are said to consider themselves "public figures" and were caught off-guard by the letter outlining their position. This marks the first time in four years that Meghan has appeared publicly at events in the UK, with her last appearance being the late Queen's funeral in 2022.
In 2020, Harry and Meghan carried out their final official public royal engagement together when they joined the Royal Family at the Commonwealth Day service in Westminster Abbey.
Meghan's Focus on Family and Career
Quasi-royal visits will, however, be "relatively rare" for Meghan, with the Duchess focusing on her children, her As Ever lifestyle brand, and rebooting her acting career.
"She's reading a lot of scripts at the moment," a source told The Telegraph. The source added that Harry and Meghan had "different professional priorities," saying: "Prince Harry's is his philanthropic work and public service."
"Her focus is on her family and children, followed by her business, followed by rebooting her acting career. Her public appearances will be relatively rare. She is reading a lot of scripts at the moment." They added that if Meghan had any time left, she would do "some charity work," adding "she's not a working royal" but a full-time mother and entrepreneur.
