Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have carried out their first major joint engagement since returning to Britain, but the outing has divided royal fans online. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex travelled to Nottingham on October 15 for a series of appearances supporting local charities and young people.
The visit marked a significant moment for Harry, 42, and Meghan, 45, who returned to the UK with their two children in August after six years in California. However, their royal-style appearance has sparked criticism, with some fans angry over the couple continuing public engagements after stepping down as working royals in 2020.
Critics accuse couple of 'playing royal'
Writing on X, one critic fumed: "This is why they came back; they need to look and play Royal to get any financial traction. They were fading fast, so this is their money card. It is really rather whiffy."
Another added: "Acting like royals while being 'private citizens' is just confusing the public now. The monarchy can't withstand much more of this nonsense. Republicans must be cheering the grifters on at every step."
A third wrote: "This is the biggest issue as those two are attempting to create a pseudo royal court. You know exactly what they are doing and how this is angering the people, which is an absolute shambles given 6 years of them attacking the very institution they are now wanting to benefit from."
Supporters praise the couple
However, not everyone shared the criticism, with other royal watchers praising the Sussexes for their public appearance. One supporter declared: "they are way better than the monarchy. Self funded and nice." Another commented: "They look fresh and modern." While a third added: "Showing the others how it's done."
Despite the divided reaction online, a crowd of around 200 people gathered to catch a glimpse of the couple in Nottingham, where Meghan wore an oversized burgundy coat, coordinating midi skirt and pointed heels. Harry flashed smiles and waved to well-wishers, with the couple walking hand in hand and greeting members of the public.
Return to familiar territory
The city holds special memories for the Sussexes, as it was where they carried out their first official joint engagement following their engagement announcement in 2017. Nearly nine years later, the couple returned to familiar territory, although their circumstances have changed considerably since their days as working royals.
The visit also marked Meghan's first public engagement in Britain since attending Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in September 2022.
The couple's Nottingham itinerary included three organisations supporting vulnerable communities and disadvantaged young people. Their first stop was the Community Recording Studio in St Ann's, which provides opportunities for youngsters through music, creative activities and mentoring. Prince Harry has supported the organisation for more than a decade, having first visited the area privately in 2013.
The Sussexes also visited Himmah Hub, a community organisation tackling food poverty, where their programme included a cooking session and preparing food parcels. Their final engagement took them to Epic Partners, which supports children and families through education, sport and youth development programmes.
New life in Britain
The outing came as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex continued settling into their new lives in Britain, with Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, reportedly adjusting well to their surroundings.
According to reports, the couple initially prioritised establishing a routine for their children, particularly after concerns over security arrangements prompted a change of school. Meghan has maintained a relatively low public profile since the family's return, concentrating on her children and lifestyle business, while Harry has continued to make charitable appearances.
Despite the royal-style appearance, Harry and Meghan remain non-working members of the Royal Family, with Buckingham Palace recently clarifying that their charitable engagements are undertaken as private citizens.
