NOTTINGHAM, England (AP) — Prince Harry and his wife Meghan appeared together in a series of charity visits on Thursday, marking their first joint public appearance since returning to England. The couple, known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, aimed to rebuild their presence in Britain after stepping back from royal duties six years ago.
Their day began at the Community Recording Studio in Nottingham, which uses music, performance, and athletic programs to assist young people in developing confidence and practical skills. The couple received a warm welcome, particularly from schoolchildren present. One attendee shouted, "We love you, Duchess Meghan."
Following this, they visited Himmah Hub, the largest food bank in central England, and Epic Partners, which provides sports, education, and mentoring programs for disadvantaged youth. During their visits, Harry and Meghan engaged with attendees by taking selfies, giving hugs, and shaking hands.
The Nottingham visit holds significance as it was the location of their first joint appearance after announcing their engagement in 2017. Their activities included elements of royal tradition, such as an announcement featuring their Sussex titles and a media pool documenting their movements. However, their philanthropic organization, Archewell, was not prominently mentioned.
King Charles III has clarified that Harry and Meghan remain non-working members of the royal family, a status they accepted upon stepping back from royal duties and relocating to California. A letter from the king to senior government officials emphasized that the couple would not use their royal titles and that any charity work would be conducted as private citizens.
This letter's release indicated palace officials' concerns that Harry and Meghan's celebrity status could lead to a competing royal presence alongside the Prince and Princess of Wales and other working royals.
Harry has been involved with the Community Recording Studio and Epic Partners for over a decade, while Meghan collaborated with Himmah on "Together: Our Community Cookbook," published in 2018. After stepping back from royal duties in July 2020, the couple shifted their focus to earning a living, signing contracts with Netflix and Spotify.
Relations with the royal family have been strained, particularly after the couple expressed concerns about Meghan's mental health and allegations of racism and media manipulation. However, recent months have seen a desire for reconciliation, with Harry expressing a wish for his children to know their grandfather, King Charles, who is undergoing treatment for cancer discovered in 2024.
The couple and their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, are reportedly residing in a private, non-royal home in the Cotswolds. Although they have expressed happiness about returning to the U.K., their move has not been without controversy. Harry continues to seek publicly funded police protection, which was revoked when they stepped back from royal duties, citing ongoing security threats due to his royal status. Recently, their children changed schools due to security concerns.
Kirka reported from London. Pan Pylas in London contributed to this report.