The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, made their first official joint appearance in the UK since relocating their family, returning to Nottingham on Thursday, October 15. The visit marked a return to a city that holds particular significance for the couple, as it was the location of Meghan’s first official royal outing alongside Harry in December 2017, just days after their engagement was announced.
Return to Nottingham
Arriving at 10:35 a.m. local time, Prince Harry and Meghan were greeted by cheers from a crowd of approximately 100 well-wishers, taking about 15 minutes to interact with locals before entering their first engagement. The couple shook hands and spoke with young schoolchildren, with Meghan receiving bouquets of flowers and a helium-filled balloon. Addressing one well-wisher, the Duchess of Sussex reportedly said, “It’s great to be back.” She also responded with “That’s so special” after being shown a photograph of the couple from their 2017 visit to the city, as reported by People.com. The warm reception included a shout of “I love you Duchess Meghan” from the crowd.
For the outing, Meghan chose to wear exclusively British designers, including a coat, turtleneck, and earrings by Joseph, a skirt by The Fold London, and shoes by Jennifer Chamandi. Notably, she also wore a Joseph skirt during her initial visit to Nottingham in 2017.
Charitable Engagements
The couple began their visit at The Community Recording Studio (CRS), a charity established in 1991 that provides young people with access to music and recording facilities, now offering a broader range of creative activities, sport, mentoring, and youth development. At CRS, Prince Harry met musician, poet, and youth mentor Jah Digga, who had previously benefited from the studio’s support in moving away from gang involvement. Meghan, meanwhile, joined young girls for a confidence-building and bracelet-making workshop.
Trevor Rose, CEO and co-founder of CRS, told People.com about Prince Harry’s longstanding relationship with the organisation, noting, “Harry’s been a few times — we’re used to him coming and always having a big impact when he comes.” He added that Meghan’s first visit was “incredible,” especially given her specific interest in the young people’s activities and challenges. Rose described the powerful impact the news of Meghan’s visit had on the young women at the centre, with some being “speechless” and showing “a few tears.” The couple also observed an acting workshop led by professional actor André Squire, demonstrating the value of creative opportunities for developing young people’s skills.
Later in the day, the Duke and Duchess were scheduled to visit Epic Partners, an organisation supporting children and families through youth work, sport, mentoring, and education. Prince Harry’s connection with Epic dates back to a 2013 visit, which led to “Full Effect,” a partnership between Epic and CRS supported by The Royal Foundation from 2013 to 2020. Meghan had previously engaged with young people supported by Full Effect during her December 2017 visit to Nottingham Academy, where she also spent time with Epic’s girls’ nurture group. One young woman she mentored, Leonora Ncomanzi, was later invited to the couple’s wedding celebrations.
Unofficial Status and Palace Reaction
The visit comes as Prince Harry and Meghan are no longer working members of the Royal Family, having stepped back from royal duties in 2020. According to Fox News, royal experts have suggested that their public appearances risk blurring the distinction between private citizens and official royal engagements. Kinsey Schofield, host of “Kinsey Schofield Unfiltered,” told Fox News Digital that there is “frustration” within Buckingham Palace regarding the couple’s activities. She described their public appearances as “royal theatre without royal authority,” arguing that they “appear more interested in faking the image of royalty than embracing its purpose.”
British broadcaster Helena Chard similarly told Fox News Digital that the visit represents a “pseudo royal reboot,” while Christopher Andersen, author of “Kate!,” commented that the Sussexes “have not been given permission to behave like working royals, and yet they seem to have gone ahead with their own plans to recapture the spotlight in the U.K.” Andersen acknowledged, however, that the causes they support are “worthy.” Queen Elizabeth II had previously stated at the “Sandringham Summit” in January 2020 that there would be no “half in, half out” role for the Sussexes, a sentiment later reiterated by Buckingham Palace in February 2021 that “it is not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service” when stepping away from royal work. The couple responded at the time, stating, “We can all live a life of service. Service is universal,” as reported by Fox News.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Q: Where did Meghan and Prince Harry make their first official UK appearance since moving?
A: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex returned to Nottingham, England, a city that also hosted Meghan’s first official royal outing with Harry in 2017.
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Q: What organisations did Meghan and Prince Harry visit in Nottingham?
A: The couple visited The Community Recording Studio (CRS), a charity for young people, and were scheduled to visit Epic Partners, which supports children and families.
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Q: What is the significance of this visit regarding their royal status?
A: As Prince Harry and Meghan are no longer working members of the Royal Family, their charitable visits are considered private engagements and not official royal duties, a distinction that has reportedly caused “frustration” within Buckingham Palace, according to royal commentators.