Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Make UK Appearance, Echoing Past Engagements
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex undertook three joint engagements in Nottingham, revisiting a significant location from their early royal relationship.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made a joint appearance in Nottingham on Thursday, participating in three engagements that evoked their early days as a royal couple. Their visit to Nottingham marked a significant return to the city, which hosted their first official royal engagement nearly nine years prior.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were met by large crowds, with Meghan receiving bouquets of flowers. The couple engaged with attendees, taking time to wave and pose for selfies.
Meghan's attire for the engagements featured designs from British brands, including Joseph, a brand she also wore during her 2017 visit to Nottingham.
The couple's schedule included a visit to the Community Recording Studio, an organization that provides disadvantaged youth with access to film, radio, and photography resources. Following this, they visited Himmah, a food bank addressing issues of poverty, racism, and education. During their visit to Himmah, Meghan reconnected with women from the Hubb Community Kitchen, with whom she had previously collaborated on a cookbook.
The final engagement of the day was at Epic Partners, a charity focused on empowering positive change for children and young people in Nottingham.
Harry and Meghan announced their decision to step back as working royals in January 2020 and have since relocated to North America, first to Canada and then to California. The couple, along with their children Prince Archie and Princess Lili, have resettled outside London.
The transition has presented challenges, including ongoing security concerns. In September, King Charles issued a statement reaffirming that Harry and Meghan are regarded as non-working royals.
Concurrently, King Charles and Queen Camilla faced protests during their visit to open the new term of the Senedd in Wales. Demonstrators voiced opposition to the monarchy, with chants of “Not my king” and banners calling for its abolition.
Graham Smith, head of the anti-monarchy group Republic, criticized the monarch's presence in political institutions, stating that an unelected head of state should not have a role in them. Smith also referenced recent legal rulings concerning Prince Andrew, suggesting that King Charles may have information regarding allegations against his brother.