Prince Harry and his wife Meghan made their first public outing together on Thursday since returning to the United Kingdom at the end of August, visiting a charity supported by Charles III’s son in Nottingham, central England. The couple, who arrived all smiles and holding hands, were welcomed in the morning by residents gathered behind a barrier.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex plan to visit three local organizations that support young people through music, film and sport, and combat poverty.
Since returning to the United Kingdom with their two children, Archie and Lilibet, after six years in the United States, Harry and Meghan have remained relatively discreet, even if the youngest son of King Charles III has made several public engagements alone for charitable organizations that he sponsors or supports.
Harry and Meghan left the United Kingdom with a bang in 2020, against a backdrop of tensions with the royal family, of which they have no longer been active members. Shortly after their return, Buckingham Palace clarified that any charitable commitments they might undertake would be “in a private capacity”.
Meghan has not appeared publicly in the United Kingdom since 2022, during the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. The couple’s last joint public engagement dates back to 2020, during Commonwealth Day at Westminster Abbey.
Debate over the security of the prince and his family
The surprise return of Harry and Meghan to the United Kingdom has reignited the debate over the security of the prince and his family. The Sussexes believe they are entitled to taxpayer-funded protection.
The commission responsible for the security of public figures (Ravec), which initially ruled that Harry’s security on British soil should be assessed on a case-by-case basis, met in early September to examine in detail the threats weighing on the prince and his family. According to media reports, they are currently using private security agents.
British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood also announced on Monday an emergency review of measures to protect public figures, including politicians and members of the royal family, following the murder of a former Conservative MP.
