huffpost Press
Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Step Out For U.K. Appearance ― And It's Like Nothing's Changed
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped out for three joint U.K. engagements on Thursday, and it felt like 2017 all over again. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who moved back to the U.K. two months ago, made a poignant stop in Nottingham, which was also the site of their first official royal engagement nearly nine years ago. The two were greeted by large crowds, and Meghan was given bouquets of flowers. The couple stopped to wave and take selfies with those who had gathered to spot the Sussexes. Meghan’s clothes also told a story about the couple’s return to U.K. soil, as she wore entirely British designers for the Sussexes’ engagements, including the brand Joseph. The “Suits” actor also wore a Joseph skirt during her visit to Nottingham in 2017. The couple had three outings on their agenda: first, a visit to the Community Recording Studio, which works to give disadvantaged youth access to film, radio and photography resources. Afterward, the couple stopped by Himmah, a food bank that also focuses on poverty, issues of racism and education. While there, Meghan reunited with some of the women she worked with from Hubb Community Kitchen, with whom she collaborated on a cookbook in one of her first projects as a member of the royal family. After the warm welcome from the women, the Sussexes will appear at Epic Partners, a local charity that also works on “empowering positive change for children and young people in the communities of Nottingham.” Harry and Meghan announced their intention to step back as working royals in January 2020 and subsequently moved to North America ― first Canada and then California. The now family of four ― including Prince Archie and Princess Lili ― have resettled outside London. The move has not been without challenges, as Meghan and Harry still face security issues, and King Charles released a direct statement in September to reiterate that the two are regarded as non-working royals. At the same time as the Sussexes’ pseudo-royal engagement, King Charles and Queen Camilla were met with protests as the monarch opened the new term of Wales’ parliament, called the Senedd. Protesters chanted “Not my king” and carried a large banner that said, “Abolish the Monarchy.” “Charles shouldn’t be rocking up to the Senedd, Scottish Parliament or the House of Commons,” said Graham Smith, head of the anti-monarchy group Republic, in a statement shared with HuffPost. “He’s an unelected head of state who should have no place in our political institutions.” Smith also pointed to the charges related to ex-Prince Andrew after a judge ruled last week that search warrants used to seize property from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor were unlawful. “Andrew is trying to obstruct the police investigation into serious allegations. Charles clearly has questions to answer about what he knew about these allegations and for how long,” Smith said, adding that “Andrew has been accused of various offences for years.” “For years the police, government and the royals turned a blind eye to protect him from scrutiny,” he added. “Republic’s position remains clear — police must follow the evidence wherever it leads and continue their investigation.” By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
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