Prince Harry and his wife Meghan have appeared together in public for the first time since their return to the United Kingdom. The couple is visiting several charitable organizations in the city of Nottingham amid great public interest.
Upon arrival, Harry and Meghan took ample time to chat with the public and shake hands. According to the BBC, the crowd erupted when they stepped out of the car. A woman shouted: "We love you, Duchess Meghan, we love you!"
This is the first official public appearance since the couple moved from the US to England. For Meghan, it is her first public appearance in the United Kingdom in four years. The last time was during the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.
The reception was warm in Nottingham:
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped down as members of the British royal family in 2020 and left the United Kingdom. They wanted to divide their time between the United Kingdom and California, where Meghan was born.
In August it became known that Harry and Meghan, with their two children, Prince Archie (7) and Princess Lilibet (5), are moving back to the UK. According to British media, several factors play a role, including the desire to spend more time in Europe, to have their children educated in the United Kingdom, and to be closer to Harry's family.
Cooking workshop
To appear so openly in Nottingham is not entirely coincidental. In 2017, Harry and Meghan made their first official appearance as an engaged couple there. British media report that during their visit they will visit three social organizations.
At the organization Himmah Hub, they participate in a cooking workshop. Afterwards, they visit the food bank of the organization, where they speak with people living in poverty. They also visit the youth organization Community Recording Studio and Epic Partners, an organization that supports children and families.
Harry has been involved with Community Recording Studio and Epic Partners for more than ten years. Meghan previously collaborated with Himmah on Together: Our Community Cookbook, which was published in 2018.
After their departure from the United Kingdom, Harry and Meghan remained involved with British charities through their own foundation. But their focus was elsewhere. Harry and Meghan gave as a reason for their departure that they wanted to lead a "quieter life," but they also signed lucrative contracts with Netflix and Spotify.
The relationship with the rest of the royal family deteriorated quickly. The couple stated that palace staff had been insensitive to Meghan's mental health. Moreover, they accused other members of the royal family of racism and manipulating the media.
Harry's open criticism of his family and the monarchy led to a rift between the prince and his father, King Charles. For years, he did not see his grandchildren.
Oxford
The tensions have somewhat eased in recent months, as Harry has expressed a desire to reconcile with his father. He also indicated that he wants his children to have the chance to get to know their 77-year-old grandfather. Charles is currently being treated for a form of cancer diagnosed in early 2024.
Harry and Meghan and their children are reportedly staying in a home in the Cotswolds, an area surrounded by hills, villages, and farms west of the city of Oxford.