Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have made their first official joint public appearance since they moved from California to the U.K. in August.
The couple were all smiles as they arrived in Nottingham, England, at the first of three engagements linked to their charity work.
They were cheered by a crowd of hundreds and shouts of “I love you” as they arrived at their first event, a visit to a community recording studio, and stopped to greet onlookers, exchanging words with well-wishers. Meghan was given flowers and both she and Harry took selfies with fans.
Meghan told a member of the crowd that it’s “great to be back,” the British news agency Press Association reported. She also commented on the most British subject of all, the weather, telling an onlooker, “We’ve got lovely weather today. We got lucky.”
Harry also told an onlooker it was “great” to be back in the U.K., the BBC reported.
The event may have resembled a traditional royal engagement, with photographers and journalists gathered around the pair and barriers used to separate Harry and Meghan from the public.
But this was not an “official” royal visit. Since stepping back from royal life in 2020, the Sussexes are no longer “working royals” — that means members of the royal family who stand in and act as official public representatives of the monarch.
It also means Harry and Meghan are not entitled to British taxpayer-funded police protection, meaning the couple was accompanied by private security during their visit.
Her hair slicked back in a ponytail, Meghan wore a fall-inspired, tonal look made up of British labels. A burgundy wool coat from Joseph was worn over a matching turtleneck from the same brand. A skirt from The Fold and coordinated pumps from Jennifer Chamani completed the burgundy ensemble.
At one of the events, Meghan revealed that her daughter, Princess Lilibet, has been enjoying gymnastics. Speaking to a group of young girls about what makes them feel most like themselves, one child said, “I like it when I do gymnastics.” The BBC reported that Meghan replied, “Oh, yeah. Our daughter is doing that too right now. She loves it.”
Meghan added that she feels most like herself when she’s with her family and cooking. “I love doing that,” she said. “I love to cook.”
She advised the girls to “remember to talk to ourselves like we talk to our best friends. It’s really important to be just as kind to yourself.”
Nottingham, in central England, is the same city the couple visited for their first official joint appearance following their engagement announcement in 2017. “[Meghan’s] team will have been thinking very carefully about where to ‘relaunch’ her into U.K. public life,” said BBC royal correspondent Noor Nanji.
“They are back here primarily because they support and believe in the organizations they are visiting,” Harry and Meghan’s spokesperson told the BBC.
While Harry has attended some official events before today, Meghan’s Instagram account has offered the best insight into what she’s been up to since returning to England, sharing glimpses of fall walks and bike rides with her children and a tea with Malala Yousafzai in London.
According to the Times of London, the couple are “happy and settled” in their new life. But their return to the U.K. hasn’t been free from controversy. Their children changed schools after their security team raised concerns about the commute and photographers were spotted at their new school.
Harry and Meghan were also said to be “surprised” by a letter issued on behalf of King Charles III in which the monarch cleared up “confusion” over the couple’s royal status by confirming that the pair will remain non-working royals now they’re back living in Britain.
