Prince Harry and Meghan Markle carried out their first official appearance together since returning to the UK, visiting Nottingham today. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were met with cheering crowds on arrival, and the series of engagements appeared to be a success.
While Harry held a private meeting with executives to hear how his previous donation to BBC Children in Need was being used, Meghan joined a group of girls from Bluebell Hill Primary School for a "confidence-building and bracelet-making session". She also revealed sweet details about Princess Lilibet and cracked jokes with the children.
Meghan's joke and questions to schoolgirls
Joining the schoolgirls aged 10 to 11, Meghan joked, "You’re very quiet all of a sudden", before sitting down at the first table, where the girls had cards asking, "When do you feel most yourself?"
Meghan asked the group: "Do you feel most yourself when you’re making bracelets and being artistic? What are some of the things you like to do?" One girl answered: "Drawing." Meghan said: "That can be very calming." Other girls told her they enjoyed craft and gymnastics.
Princess Lilibet and personal revelations
Meghan told the girls that Princess Lilibet, 5, was also a fan: "My daughter is doing gymnastics right now; she loves it. I feel most like myself when I’m with my family and also when I cook. I love to cook, do you? Experimenting?"
She also told one child in a sweet moment, "Sometimes you have to remember to be kind to yourself. And remember to talk to ourselves as we talk to our best friends." She gave each child seated around the three tables a handwritten card with an inspirational paragraph to take home.
Host's praise and Meghan's favourite role
Georgia Devon-Shelley, who hosted the session, said of Meghan's time with the young girls: "She was really engaging and incredibly kind and genuine. With anyone she met, even briefly in passing, she remembered their names." She added: "They both gave everyone time and energy. This session was about building confidence, and that was certainly achieved."
As they spoke with crowds before their scheduled visits, Meghan revealed her favourite role: being a mum. Footage filmed by an attendee captured Meghan chatting to two young boys at the barrier, where she said: "I'm a mum. Best job in the world." Throughout the interaction, she beamed at the youngsters while playfully nudging one of them as she made her heartfelt statement.
