Prince William reportedly felt the Nottingham outing by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was "distasteful," according to an insider quoted by Woman's Day. The future King is said to believe the engagement went against the wishes of the late Queen Elizabeth II, particularly as the couple continue their independent business ventures while benefiting from their royal status.
Warm welcome in Nottingham
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped out in Nottingham on Thursday for a quasi-royal visit, with three separate engagements across the city. Around 150 to 200 people were in attendance, and the couple received a warm welcome as they arrived.
The city holds significance for the Sussexes, as it was where they visited just days after announcing their engagement in 2017. The visit marked their first joint engagement since their return to the UK at the end of August, after six years in America.
William's reported reaction
Speaking to Woman's Day, the insider said: "William knows as one of the world’s wealthiest landowners he shouldn’t begrudge his brother for earning a living, but it’s all so distasteful and something the British public are not used to. William doesn’t like that Harry and Meghan have come back to ‘make money’ and clearly have no intention of trying to mend bridges."
However, a friend of the couple told HELLO! that the Sussexes never personally accepted the "half-in, half-out" arrangement and are not fazed by those claiming they are going against the Firm. "It doesn't trouble them. They never agreed they wouldn't be half in, half out. That was what was decided and foisted upon them. They're just living their lives and they can, because they’re financially independent," the friend said.
Engagements and security
The couple's visit included stops at the Community Recording Studio (CRS), the Himmah Hub—a community action group addressing food poverty—and Epic Partners, which supports children, young people and families in St Ann's and Sneinton through youth work, sport, mentoring and education.
Harry and Meghan were protected by their private security team during Thursday's events and did not have the police convoys assigned to senior working royals. The couple are now thought to be living in the Cotswolds with their children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five.
Weeks earlier, the King released a statement claiming there was "no change" to their status regarding their return to the UK, adding that they should be treated as "private citizens with commercial and charitable interests." Tensions between Harry and his father, King Charles, appeared to have thawed, though the couple remain at loggerheads with the royals.
