‘It’s wonderful to be back’: Harry and Meghan on first outing since UK return

There were selfies and fist bumps, chit-chat about the British weather and group hugs.

Meghan said it was “wonderful” to be back in the UK, compared wedding rings with a fan and was given a healing crystal amid armfuls of flowers and balloons.

Prince Harry beamed as he bounced along high-fiving local school children, asking which year they were in and which lessons they were missing.

To seasoned royal watchers, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s first joint appearance since returning to Britain was straight out of the Buckingham Palace playbook. This time, however, the couple were on their own manoeuvres, entirely independent of the monarchy.

Whether or not that matters will continue to be a subject of much debate.

But to the 150-strong crowd who turned out to greet them on Thursday (UK time) at the Community Recording Studio (CRS), a youth charity in Nottingham, it was irrelevant.

Margaret Langdon, 67, from Carlton, said their visit showed “it’s not all about London” and “small cities matter as well”.

“I’m a big fan,” she said. “They’ve come to Nottingham to see us so the least we could do is come out and see them.”

Among those whose efforts were rewarded with warm hugs from Harry and Meghan was Irene Hardman, 90, from Roddington, who was brandishing a framed photograph of herself meeting the couple in December 2017.

“Oh my gosh how sweet is that” gushed Meghan as she clasped her hands to her mouth.

“That was our very first walkabout. Oh my gosh, what a great memory. I remember this day so well, that is so special.”

The duchess, clad in British designs, including a belt from Marks & Spencer, told another fan: “It’s great to be back.”

One school boy asked if she had come in a Rolls-Royce, prompting laughter.

The less glamorous reality was that the couple were 10 minutes late after getting stuck in traffic following the morning school run. No blue light police escort for these two yet, despite Prince Harry’s ongoing efforts.

Inside, there was plenty of inspirational chat and messages of support.

The duchess joined a group of girls from Bluebell Hill Primary School for a “confidence-building and bracelet-making session”, noting that drawing could be “very calming” and revealing that her daughter, Princess Lilibet, 5, loved gymnastics.

“I feel most like myself when I’m with my family and also when I cook,” she said. “I love to cook, do you? Experimenting?”

At another table, Meghan discussed the importance of complimenting others.

“Sometimes we have to remember to talk to ourselves like we talk to our best friends, really,” she said. “You have to remember to be just as kind to yourself.” Before leaving, she gave each of the girls each a handwritten card inscribed with a motivational quote.

The couple also watched an acting workshop led by actor André Squire. “That was great,” Meghan told the young people involved, asking the group: “Did you find the characters relatable?”

As the duke and duchess left, they were accosted by more fans.

“We’ve got to go. I’ve got to take her,” a proud Harry said of his wife, as one lady shouted: “You’re lovely, you’re just like your mother.”

Later, Trevor Rose, CRS chief executive and co-founder, said Prince Harry, who first visited the studio in 2013, always had a big impact.

“For him to want to bring Meg as well and to hear that she wanted to find out more about what we are and what we do is incredible,” he added.

“In the end, there’s a lot of young females in here and they need people who understand them and Meghan has definitely made a point of asking about what they do, what they’re about and what the challenges are.

“To say to them that she’s coming here to meet you – they were speechless. I’ve seen a few tears in peoples’ eyes. That’s what it’s about. I take it as a great stepping stone that they’re still here, we can still reach out to them and they still care.”

He added: “They don’t just say they’ll visit every year – they ring up every couple of months, they ask what we’re doing and monitor progress and give us suggestions.” Asked if CRS users look up to the couple, he said: “100 per cent.”

The Sussexes later visited the Himmah food bank where Meghan said it felt “really meaningful” to be reunited with some of the women from the Grenfell Hubb Community Kitchen.

The couple washed their hands before helping to prepare lunch, with Harry joking that he had been allocated washing up duties.

The Sussexes concluded their day at Epic Partners, a youth charity Harry has supported for 13 years, where they played pool and decorated cupcakes.

Meghan was introduced to the card game Dobble and signed an autograph for 12-year-old Kelsey with the words: “Keep shining! All my best, Meg.”

She later blushed with pride as she watched her husband successfully pot every ball in a pool challenge; declining requests to get involved herself.

In the kitchen, however, it was a different story as she rolled up her sleeves to neatly ice some cakes. The duke, on the other hand, took a rather more haphazard approach to the challenge, licking the icing off his fingers.

Pete Bewley, the chief executive, said the Sussexes’ support provided “long-term, sustained impact” and said Megan was a “positive role model” for young girls.

The Telegraph, London

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