The Duke and Duchess of Sussex carried out their first joint engagements in Nottingham today.
Harry and Meghan on first joint engagement since UK return
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex received a warm welcome today as they carried out their first joint engagements in the UK since returning to the country over the summer. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were greeted by a crowd of fans when they arrived for their day out in Nottingham. The couple’s first stop of the day was at the city’s Community Recording Studio (CRS) at about 10.30am. At first it looked like less than 100 people might be in the crowd, but shortly before their arrival some latecomers helped boost numbers to between 150 and 200.
More than 60 members of the media from around the world were also there to report on the visit. Some 20 of those gathered in the crowd were from Nottingham’s Mencap – a local charity that supports people with learning disabilities and autism, as well as vulnerable individuals.
Several fans had brought flowers and balloons with them to give to the royal couple as they waited behind a barrier for the Sussexes to arrive. When the couple arrived they embarked on a 20-minute walkabout before the start of the engagement.
Ria Miller was one of the members of the crowd who got to speak to Meghan and said that a moved Duchess had tears in her eyes. She told the Daily Express: “I’m a Sussex supporter, as a woman and a mother I see what Meghan goes through daily, multiple articles written about her often false and debunked. And I just want them to see that there are real people, not social media trolls or royal commentators. They are real people who see her, appreciate and love her, and respect her. Give her the love.
“I got to give her a bouquet of flowers – we wanted to give her a physical representation of our love. She’s a woman of colour. There’s a lot of microaggressions around it. What has she done? Has she killed anybody? I did speak to her. And I said, We’re proud of you. We support you. She had water in her eyes. It was a beautiful reception. (I am) very proud of Nottingham today.”
Charlotte O’Neill was waiting outside CRS, eagerly hoping to catch a glimpse of the Duke and Duchess. She said: “I came last year to see him (when he was in the city on a solo visit), so I just thought, you know what, I’m just gonna come. I brought my friend along.”
Small crowds of people and a big media crowd await the Sussexes’ arrival (Image: Eleanor Burleigh)
The Sussexes arrive in Nottingham (Image: Getty)
Harry and Meghan did a walkabout (Image: Getty)
Asked why she’d come down today, Ms O’Neill said: “It’s not very often you get to see a real-life prince, is it?” She added that she is “well for” the former royal couple’s visit to the city and is pleased they’ve returned to the UK. She commented: “Every family has its ups and downs, don’t they?”
Margaret Langdon said the couple coming to Nottingham shows “it’s not all about London” and “small cities matter as well”. The 67-year-old, from the Carlton area of the city, told the Press Association: “I’m a big fan. They’ve come to Nottingham to see us so the least we could do is come out and see them. It’s nice to see Meghan, because it’s not very often you get a woman of colour in that position. So I’ve come out to support her.”
During their walkabout Meghan gave one fan a kiss on the cheek.
Harry and Meghan met musician and poet Jah Digga, who attended CRS as a child, while the Duchess joined young girls for a confidence-building and bracelet-making workshop.
The Sussexes were then mobbed again by the crowd while departing the site, with fans asking for hugs, selfies and a moment with the couple.
Later, Harry and Meghan arrived at their second event in Nottingham, a tour of Himmah Hub, a food-poverty community action group.
The Sussexes at the Himmah Hub (Image: Getty)
Meghan Markle joins a jewellery making session (Image: Getty)
Meghan Markle wore burgundy (Image: Getty)
The Sussexes have arrived in Nottingham (Image: Getty)
A crowd of around 50 people had gathered at the organisation’s gates to catch a glimpse of the couple. Cheers were heard and dozens of camera phones were held up, as they walked into the building.
Although the visits have not been official royal engagements – with a letter to Government stakeholders authorised by King Charles clarifying the Sussexes remain “private citizens” – they beared all the hallmarks of such.
The Duke and Duchess are said to consider themselves “public figures” and were caught off-guard by the letter outlining their position.
Today marks the first time in four years that Meghan has appeared publicly at events in the UK – the last time being the late Queen’s funeral in 2022.