The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were welcomed with roaring applause as they touched down in Nottingham for their first joint public outing in Britain since their return.
Harry and Meghan made their way to the Community Recording Studio (CRS) in St Ann's on Thursday, where throngs of admirers awaited them during what would be the first of three stops across the city.
Royal walkabout scenes
The pair wasted no time in mingling with those who'd gathered outside, in scenes harking back to classic royal walkabouts. Beaming smiles, firm handshakes, warm embraces and selfie opportunities were the order of the day.
Harry could be spotted with a protective hand on Meghan's back, while the couple also wrapped their arms around one another throughout the engagement. The duke bent down to chat with a young child, while Meghan planted a kiss on an elderly lady's cheek after being presented with a present.
Jubilant shouts rang out as the duo emerged from a dark Range Rover, with one supporter crying out: "We love you Duchess Meghan, we love you."
Further stops and security status
Meghan sported a ponytail and donned a flowing burgundy winter coat. Harry opted for a dark suit paired with an open-collared white shirt.
The Sussexes are scheduled to drop in on two additional Nottingham organisations throughout the day: the Himmah Hub, a food poverty community action collective, and Epic Partners, which champions young folk through sporting initiatives and guidance.
While these prominent visits bear all the hallmarks of official royal duties, they don't form part of the monarchy's formal calendar. A correspondence to Government stakeholders approved by the King last month made clear that Harry and Meghan are "private citizens".
Private security and legal battle
The pair relinquished their duties as working royals six years ago and relocated to the US, in a move commonly referred to as Megxit.
They turned up by vehicle 11 minutes behind schedule and are being safeguarded by their own private security personnel. In contrast to senior working royals, they do not receive police escorts allocated to official royal duties.
The appearance nonetheless adhered to some customary royal procedures. Press photographers and reporters assembled outside the location were positioned behind barriers, alongside members of the public, some of whom had brought bouquets.
One young admirer clutched a unicorn balloon, while media coverage inside the occasion was shared.
Harry and Meghan are also anticipating a ruling on whether they will receive taxpayer-funded protection while in the UK.
The duke is said to be worried that the procedure could be postponed after Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced an examination of security provisions for the Royal Family and public figures following the death of Reform UK's justice spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe.
The pair are believed to consider themselves "public figures" and were apparently taken aback by the correspondence outlining their standing as private citizens, which was approved by the King. Thursday's engagements also represent Meghan's first public engagements in the UK in four years.
Her most recent public appearance at a British event was during the late Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in 2022.
