Meghan Markle shared a special moment with a 90-year-old woman who greeted her in the crowds of Nottingham, nine years after the couple's first visit to the city.
Irene Hardman from Roddington was among the crowd holding a photograph of when she met the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on their first visit to the city as an engaged couple in 2017.
A heartfelt reunion
Spotting the framed image, Meghan said: “Oh my gosh how sweet is that”, hugging Irene, who told her, “You look beautiful, I like your shoes.”
Looking closer at the photograph, Meghan said: “Oh my gosh that was our very first walkabout. Oh my gosh what a great memory.” When her friend pointed out she was also in the image, Meghan replied: “Oh my gosh ladies, what was that, nine years ago? I remember this day so well, that is so special. We’ll have to take another picture.”
Telling a member of the team, she said: “Look, this was our walkabout in 2017.”
Fan's reaction
Speaking afterwards, Irene said: “I’m a royalist through and through and whenever the royal family come, I come and see them, whoever it is.”
Asked about meeting Meghan today, she said: “She was delightful. She is so outgoing and friendly, what more do you want? She’s a lovely lady. I met them many years ago when they first came.”
Irene added: “I was sad when they left.” She also spoke to well-wishers, saying: “Nice the weather is so wonderful. It’s so fun, so fun.” To another she said: “It’s good to be back.”
Other well-wishers
Abigail Heckford, 22, visited as part of a college project. She said: “It’s a big news event. It’s a big thing for somewhere I grew up. I did think there would be more people here.”
Nicola Taylor, 21, of Nottingham, with pal Lisa Marie, 21, said: “This is the first time as we didn’t see them in 2017. Have liked them since secondary school, Harry and Meghan, for quite some time, and it’s an opportunity to come see them. I will say hello and welcome.”
Nichola, of Nottingham, arrived early and gave Meghan and Harry a unicorn balloon. She said: “I can just go show our compete support for Harry and Meghan, they’ve got children, I’ve got children and I brought something I thought the children would like. Harry said ‘how do you know she like children’ and I said ‘all children like unicorns’.
“I know they get a lot of stick and it’s not justified we love them and show support they are always welcome. I know Harry has a lot of love for Nottingham.”
