{"id":929133,"date":"2026-10-15T14:29:20","date_gmt":"2026-10-15T14:29:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/929133\/"},"modified":"2026-10-15T14:29:20","modified_gmt":"2026-10-15T14:29:20","slug":"prince-harry-and-meghan-markle-sussexes-receive-warm-welcome-on-first-joint-public-appearance-since-uk-return","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/929133\/","title":{"rendered":"Prince Harry and Meghan Markle: Sussexes receive warm welcome on first joint public appearance since UK return"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kids skipped school and royal fans lined the streets of Nottingham as Prince Harry<\/a> and Meghan<\/a> stepped out publicly together on Thursday.<\/p>\n

It marks the Duke and Duchess of Sussex\u2019s first joint pseudo-royal engagement<\/a> since their move back to the UK in August<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Meghan,<\/p>\n

Kids skipped school and royal fans lined the streets of Nottingham as Prince Harry and Meghan stepped out publicly together in Nottingham on Thursday.\u00a0Getty Images<\/p>\n

The couple made a sentimental choice for the outing, replicating their first-ever joint public engagement<\/a>, which came just days after the couple announced their wedding in 2017.<\/p>\n

And the choice paid off, with the couple receiving a very warm welcome as they arrived about 10.35am (8.35pm AEDT).<\/p>\n

Crowds lined streets and cheered as well-wishers handed over bouquet after bouquet of flowers to Meghan, who returned to the Midlands city for the first time since that day in December 2017.<\/p>\n

The couple were also inundated with gift bags and given unicorn and Batman foil balloons, presumably for their two children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5.<\/p>\n

The duke and duchess appeared touched by the reception they received, beaming as they took time to chat to as many of the hundreds of people that turned out as they could.<\/p>\n

\"Britain\u2019s<\/p>\n

The couple appeared touched by the reception they received, beaming as they took time to chat to as many people as they could.\u00a0AP Photo\/Maja Smiejkowska<\/p>\n

\"Meghan,<\/p>\n

The couple were also inundated with gift bags and were also given unicorn and batman foil balloons for their kids.\u00a0Getty Images<\/p>\n

The couple also took a leaf out of Prince William and Kate\u2019s books and relaxed their approach to selfies, happily posing with fans.<\/p>\n

This is in stark contrast to their previous joint visit, when Meghan was forced to politely decline a fan\u2019s request for a photo, saying, \u201cwe\u2019re not allowed\u201d.<\/p>\n

Now returning as the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan opted for a signature monochromatic look, wearing top-to-toe burgundy from a selection of British designers.<\/p>\n

The former Suits star had her long auburn locks pulled back in a ponytail but opted to go sans earrings for the outing.<\/p>\n

\"Britain\u2019s<\/p>\n

The couple made a sentimental choice for the outing, replicating their first-ever joint public engagement.\u00a0AP Photo\/Maja Smiejkowska<\/p>\n

\"Britain\u2019s<\/p>\n

The couple also relaxed their approach to selfies, happily posing with locals, in stark contrast to their first joint visit where they said they weren\u2019t allowed to.\u00a0AP Photo\/Maja Smiejkowska<\/p>\n

Prince Harry wore blue jeans, a white shirt and a blazer as he held his wife\u2019s hand dutifully and joked around with people who were there to see them.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s great to be back,\u201d Meghan told one well-wisher.<\/p>\n

Harry, when asked by a journalist how it felt to be back in Nottingham, also said \u201cgreat\u201d.<\/p>\n

The first stop on their day-long visit was a return to the Community Recording Studio (CRS) in St Ann\u2019s, which they\u2019d been to last time and Harry has since returned to.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey are back here primarily because they support and believe in the organisations they are visiting,\u201d the Sussexes\u2019 spokesperson told the BBC<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey enjoy coming back to revisit projects they are personally invested in, to meet the same people and understand what is happening and how things are changing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

Prince Harry wore blue jeans, a white shirt and a blazer as he held his wife\u2019s hand dutifully as well as joked around with people who had come out to see them.\u00a0Getty Images<\/p>\n

\"Britain\u2019s<\/p>\n

Similar to what was seen in Australia when Harry and Meghan made their pseudo-royal tour, Nottingham proves the divisive couple can still pull a crowd.\u00a0AP Photo\/Maja Smiejkowska<\/p>\n

At CRS, Harry and Meghan had some solo meetings with kids who have benefited from programs at the facility, before coming together to watch an acting workshop designed to developing young people\u2019s skills and confidence.<\/p>\n

During the workshop with the girls, Meghan advised them to be kind to themselves.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have to remember to talk to ourselves like we talk to our best friends,\u201d the duchess said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s really important to be just as kind to yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

The mum-of-two also gave a little insight into Princess Lilibet\u2019s life, revealing the five-year-old is enjoying gymnastics currently.<\/p>\n

\"Meghan,<\/p>\n

The first stop on their day-long visit was a return to the Community Recording Studio (CRS) in St Ann\u2019s.\u00a0Getty Images<\/p>\n

\"Meghan,<\/p>\n

Meghan took part in a jewellery making session at CRS, which is designed to build confidence as young girls make friendship bracelets.\u00a0Joe Giddens\/Pool PA via AP<\/p>\n

\u201cI like it when I do gymnastics,\u201d one young girl told Meghan, to which she replied: \u201cOh yeah. Our daughter is doing that too right now. She loves it.\u201d <\/p>\n

On their way out, they were again gifted with flowers, hugs and requests for selfies from the crowd who surprised the couple by sticking around until they were done inside.<\/p>\n

The couple then made their way to Himmah Hub, central England\u2019s biggest food bank, where Prince Harry whisked Meghan inside as she apologetically waved to the small crowd gathered outside.<\/p>\n

\"Meghan,<\/p>\n

On their way out, they were again gifted with flowers, hugs and requests for selfies.\u00a0Getty Images<\/p>\n

\"Prince<\/p>\n

The crowd surprised the couple by sticking around until they were done inside.\u00a0AP Photo\/Maja Smiejkowska<\/p>\n

The charity is in a similar vein to the Duchess\u2019s former work with the Hubb Community Kitchen in London, which was created by a group of women following the Grenfell fire.<\/p>\n

With Meghan\u2019s patronage, they released a fundraising cookbook. But the London-based charity, who collaborated with the Nottingham group in the past, closed their doors earlier this year.<\/p>\n

The couple visited the charity\u2019s base first, where they took part in a cooking class, wearing a hat and apron, before popping over to the charity\u2019s nearby food bank.<\/p>\n

\"Meghan,<\/p>\n

The couple then made their way to Himmah Hub, central England\u2019s biggest food bank, where Prince Harry whisked Meghan inside.\u00a0Getty Images<\/p>\n

\"Meghan,<\/p>\n

The Duchess of Sussex was apologetic to those waiting outside the charity as they rushed in.\u00a0Getty Images<\/p>\n

On arrival, Meghan made a beeline to \u201cmy ladies\u201d, saying \u201cit\u2019s been too long\u201d as she hugged them and enjoyed quick catch-ups before starting a group hug.<\/p>\n

The couple helped make a West African dish in their cooking class before enjoying lunch with about 50 people associated with the charity.<\/p>\n

On the way into Himmah Hub, while rushing inside, the Duchess of Sussex was said to have promised she\u2019d return to waiting fans afterwards.<\/p>\n

But the couple left the premises without popping out front, leaving a number of people disappointed.<\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

On arrival at the hub, Meghan made a b-line to \u201cmy ladies\u201d, saying \u201cit\u2019s been too long\u201d as she hugged them.\u00a0Annabel Lee-Ellis\/PA Pool Photo via AP<\/p>\n

\"Meghan,<\/p>\n

The couple visited the charity\u2019s base first, where they got to work in the kitchen, wearing a hat and apron each, before popping over to a nearby food bank.\u00a0Getty Images<\/p>\n

\u201cI really wanted to catch her, she did say she would come out,\u201d Shagoftah Akhtar, 53,\u00a0told media. <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure they\u2019ve got their security reasons and stuff, if she\u2019d have had her way, I think she\u2019d have come out.\u201d<\/p>\n

At the food bank, the couple packed parcels of groceries and paused to take selfies and photos.<\/p>\n

As they left, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex both spoke about how they had found their first outing since their return.<\/p>\n

\"Meghan,<\/p>\n

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visits the Himmah Hub in Nottingham, England\u00a0Annabel Lee-Ellis\/PA Pool Photo via AP<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s great to be back,\u201d Prince Harry told BBC. \u201cWonderful and great to be back in Nottingham too.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Meghan described the visit to Himmah Hub as \u201creally, really meaningful\u201d.<\/p>\n

Harry and Meghan ended the day with a visit to Epic Partners and heard about how the charity supports children, young people and their families. <\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visits the Himmah Hub in Nottingham, England, \u00a0Annabel Lee-Ellis\/PA Pool Photo via AP<\/p>\n

\"Meghan,<\/p>\n

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, right, visits the Himmah Hub in Nottingham, England\u00a0Annabel Lee-Ellis\/PA Pool Photo via AP<\/p>\n

While the Duke and Duchess of Sussex\u2019s outing has all the hallmarks of a royal engagement, including walkabouts, a media pool covering the event and use of their titles, it\u2019s not characterised as one.<\/p>\n

And that\u2019s largely thanks to one key difference \u2013 there is no massive police presence around the couple.<\/p>\n

There was one police car spotted during their first engagement but nothing at seen outside their second, according to The Nottingham Post<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC) is still evaluating their threat level and the security protection they\u2019ll be afforded while living in the UK.<\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex visit Epic Partners during their visit to Nottingham \u00a0Getty Images<\/p>\n

\"Meghan,<\/p>\n

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex visit Epic Partners during their visit to Nottingham\u00a0Getty Images<\/p>\n

Traditionally, royals on an official engagement receive a police convoy and police protection. Harry and Meghan only had private security on Thursday.<\/p>\n

In a statement issued shortly after their UK return, Buckingham Palace made it clear they were not resuming their duties as senior working royals on their return to the UK.<\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

While the Duke and Duchess of Sussex\u2019s outing has all the hallmarks of a royal engagement, it\u2019s not characterised as one, and the lack of police is a key reason.\u00a0Getty Images<\/p>\n

Six years after quitting their roles in 2020 for a life in North America, a letter from the Lord Chamberlain on behalf of King Charles reminded the public that the couple would remain \u201cprivate citizens with commercial and charitable interests\u201d.<\/p>\n

The decision to send the letter to senior government officials and, more importantly, to release it to the media demonstrated the concern among some palace officials.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s thought they were worried Harry and Meghan\u2019s celebrity could allow them to become a sort of parallel royal court, competing with the Prince and Princess of Wales and other working royals for press coverage and public support.<\/p>\n

But, similar to what was seen in Australia when Harry and Meghan made their pseudo-royal tour in April, Nottingham proves the divisive couple can still pull a crowd.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Kids skipped school and royal fans lined the streets of Nottingham as Prince Harry and Meghan stepped out…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":929134,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[64,63,134],"class_list":["post-929133","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-entertainment","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-entertainment"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/929133","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=929133"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/929133\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/929134"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=929133"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=929133"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=929133"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}