Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Receive Warm Welcome in Nottingham as Sussexes Make First Joint UK Appearance Since Returning to Britain

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were greeted by cheering crowds, flowers, hugs and requests for selfies as they carried out their first joint public engagements in the UK since returning to Britain at the end of August. Their visit to Nottingham on Thursday, October 15, 2026, brought the couple back into the public eye as they visited three local organisations supporting young people, families and vulnerable communities.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex spent the day meeting members of the public, taking part in community activities and reconnecting with people whose work they have supported over the years. Their itinerary included the Community Recording Studio (CRS), the food poverty action group Himmah Hub and youth charity Epic Partners.

Although Harry and Meghan stepped down as senior working royals in 2020, their appearances carried many of the familiar elements of a royal visit. The couple are understood to regard themselves as public figures, but a letter authorised by King Charles and sent to government stakeholders last month clarified that they remain private citizens and do not represent the Royal Family.

The Nottingham engagements were particularly significant for Meghan. They marked her first public engagement since the couple’s return to the UK and her first appearance at a public event in Britain in four years.

With the duchess continuing to face criticism in parts of the British public, the visit carried a degree of risk. However, a friend told Hello! magazine that Meghan was ready to return to public engagements and continue supporting causes close to her heart.

“She’s up for it,” the friend said. “There are still causes and there are still issues that Meghan is really passionate about supporting, and Nottingham is one of those.”

Sussexes Greeted by Cheering Crowds in Nottingham

The couple arrived at their first engagement, the Community Recording Studio in St Ann’s, at approximately 10.30am. Around 150 well-wishers had gathered to see them, including local residents, schoolchildren and members of Nottingham MenCap.

Harry and Meghan spent almost 20 minutes greeting the crowd, shaking hands, posing for photographs and accepting gifts. Supporters held out bouquets of yellow and white flowers, while others presented balloons, including one shaped like a unicorn.

Cheers of “welcome back” and “we’re happy you’re home” followed the couple as they made their way through the crowd. Both appeared relaxed and in good spirits, stopping frequently to speak with people who had come to see them.

Meghan wore a coordinated burgundy outfit featuring a midi skirt, a turtleneck and a matching coat, with her long hair pulled back into a low ponytail. Her ensemble included British labels, with pieces from Joseph, Marks & Spencer and Jennifer Chamandi.

During the walkabout, Harry complimented one woman’s bright pink jacket, telling her it was “very nice” to see everyone.

For Meghan, one encounter proved particularly memorable.

Ninety-year-old Irene Hardman, from Roddington, was waiting among the well-wishers with a framed photograph taken when she met the couple during their first visit to Nottingham as an engaged couple in 2017.

When Meghan noticed the picture, she immediately approached Irene and embraced her.

“Oh my gosh, how sweet is that,” the duchess said. “Oh my gosh, that was our very first walkabout… what a great memory. I remember this day so well, that is so special.”

Irene complimented Meghan’s appearance and shoes. Before moving on, Meghan asked a member of staff to take another photograph of them together and kissed Irene on both cheeks.

The encounter brought the two women together nine years after their first meeting. Irene had waited for another opportunity to see the couple, and Meghan made time to acknowledge her during the busy walkabout.

Other supporters were equally eager to express their affection. Charmaine Richards-Brown, 67, hugged Meghan as the couple left the recording studio and called out to Harry: “Look after her. Look after yourselves.”

The Sussexes received further flowers, hugs and requests for selfies before departing for their next engagement.

One supporter, Ria Miller, told the Daily Express that she wanted the couple, particularly Meghan, to know that they had genuine supporters in Britain.

“I’m a Sussex supporter, as a woman and a mother, I see what Meghan goes through daily, multiple articles written about her often false and debunked. And I just want them to see that there are real people, not social media trolls or royal commentators,” she said.

Another local resident, Charlotte O’Neill, explained that she had decided to attend after seeing Harry on a previous occasion.

“It’s not very often you get to see a real-life Prince, is it?” she said, adding that she was pleased the couple had returned to the UK. “Every family has its ups and downs, don’t they?”

Meghan Joins Schoolgirls for Confidence-Building Workshop

Inside the Community Recording Studio, Harry and Meghan explored the organisation’s work supporting young people affected by violence through creative activities, sport and mentoring.

Founded in 1991 by Trevor Rose and Nick Sterrett, CRS provides opportunities for young people to develop their interests and build confidence while finding alternatives to violence and gang involvement.

Harry met Jah Diggah, a musician, poet and youth mentor who had attended the studio as a child. The organisation helped him move away from gang violence, and he has worked as a mentor there since 2017.

Harry had previously visited the studio in September 2025, when he personally donated £1.1 million to BBC Children In Need to support young people affected by violence.

Meanwhile, Meghan joined a group of girls aged 10 to 11 from Bluebell Hill Primary School for a bracelet-making workshop designed to encourage confidence, resilience and self-belief. The session combined creative activities with conversations about handling rejection and believing in oneself.

The duchess sat with the pupils and asked what they enjoyed doing and when they felt most comfortable being themselves.

One girl mentioned drawing, prompting Meghan to remark that the activity could be calming. Others spoke about their interest in crafts and gymnastics.

Meghan then shared a little about life at home with her daughter, Princess Lilibet, who was five at the time.

“My daughter is doing gymnastics right now; she loves it,” she said.

She also told the girls that she felt most like herself when spending time with her family and when cooking, asking whether they enjoyed experimenting with food.

At another table, Meghan asked the pupils what they would say to someone who needed encouragement. One girl responded, “Stay strong.”

Before leaving the workshop, the duchess handed each participant a handwritten card containing an inspirational paragraph.

The visit also included musical performances and an acting workshop, giving the couple an opportunity to see the range of activities offered by the community centre.

As they left, the Sussexes were greeted by more cheers and embraces from supporters gathered outside.

Emotional Reunion With Grenfell Community Cooks at Himmah Hub

The couple’s next stop was Himmah Hub, a Nottingham-based community action group tackling food poverty. The visit also gave Meghan an opportunity to reunite with women from the Hubb Community Kitchen, whose work supporting families affected by the Grenfell Tower fire in London became an important part of her early charitable efforts as a member of the Royal Family.

Following the devastating fire, women from the Grenfell community came together to prepare meals for affected families. Meghan visited them privately on several occasions and later supported their work through a cookbook celebrating their recipes and culinary traditions.

Published in 2018, Together featured dishes contributed by women from the Grenfell community and others. Meghan wrote the foreword, and the book raised almost £800,000 to help expand the kitchen’s work at the Al-Manaar mosque in North Kensington.

The reunion in Nottingham was an emotional moment for the duchess, who had maintained her connection with the community cooks beyond the initial project.

Speaking about catching up with the women, Meghan described the experience as “really, really meaningful.”

During the visit, Harry and Meghan put on aprons and joined the chefs in preparing lunch before sitting down to eat with other guests.

The couple also toured a nearby food bank and warehouse that supplies groceries to families across Nottingham. The facility provides up to 1,500 bags of groceries every month, helping households access essential food supplies.

Harry and Meghan joined volunteers in packing carrier bags with tinned vegetables and sweet treats. While helping with the process, Harry quickly identified what he believed was a flaw in the system, although further details of his observation were not provided in the account.

The visit highlighted the practical work carried out by Himmah Hub, combining immediate food assistance with broader efforts to support people experiencing hardship.

Harry and Meghan Visit Youth Charity Epic Partners

The Sussexes concluded their Nottingham engagements at Epic Partners, a youth charity that Harry has supported for more than 13 years.

Chief executive Pete Bewley welcomed the couple alongside several young people who use the organisation’s services. Based in the St Ann’s and Sneinton areas of Nottingham, Epic Partners supports children, young people and families through youth work, sport, mentoring and education.

Its programmes combine early intervention with targeted assistance for young people affected by trauma, exclusion and exploitation.

The visit offered Harry and Meghan an opportunity to meet participants, learn more about their experiences and take part in activities alongside them.

One of the day’s more light-hearted moments came when the couple were challenged to a six-ball pool game. Meghan politely declined to play, leaving Harry to take on the challenge while she cheered him on.

A young participant named Cohen attempted to demonstrate his skills to the duke. He started strongly but accidentally pocketed the white ball with just one object ball remaining, leaving Harry under pressure to finish the game.

Meghan watched from the sidelines as her husband successfully pocketed the remaining balls.

“I’m blushing!” she said as Harry continued playing.

When he approached his final shot, she added, “I’m glad it’s not me!”

The duchess jumped and clapped when Harry sank the final ball, while the duke celebrated by pumping his fists in the air.

They then watched as a staff member named Anisa completed the challenge herself.

The young people encouraged Meghan to have a turn, repeatedly calling out, “Come on Meghan” and “It’s your turn.” She continued to decline, even when Harry joined in the encouragement, responding by playfully tapping her husband’s arm.

Beyond the games, the couple spent time speaking privately with some of the young people about the charity and the support it provides.

They also visited the kitchen to decorate cupcakes, joining staff and participants in preparing treats for a birthday celebration.

Meghan admired the cupcakes that had already been decorated, telling the young people: “You guys have done a great job, well done!”

When Harry was asked jokingly who did the cooking in their household, he raised his hands and declared, “That’s me.”

Meghan, who had presented a cooking show on Netflix, laughed and asked him, “Shall I take your jacket for you?”

Both were given piping bags and set about decorating the cakes. Meghan concentrated on making her icing neat, while Harry took a more carefree approach, repeatedly licking icing from his hands as he worked.

The cupcakes were being prepared to celebrate Michaela Castillo-Williams, the charity’s chief operating officer, who turned 30 on Thursday.

Meghan helped arrange the cakes and icing letters spelling out “happy birthday.” The couple then joined in singing to Michaela and encouraged her to take a bite of one of the freshly decorated treats.

For Michaela, the moment was difficult to believe. It was the fourth time she had met Harry, and she was particularly surprised when the couple sang directly to her.

“I couldn’t believe it, she was stood right next to me singing happy birthday to me; it was insane,” she said of Meghan.

The birthday celebration added a personal touch to the couple’s final engagement, giving them an opportunity to connect with staff and young people in a relaxed setting.

Meghan Learns a Card Game as the Couple Meet Young Participants

The Sussexes also toured Epic Partners’ sports hall, where groups were playing basketball and badminton.

They stopped to speak with several young people, asking questions about their experiences and how the charity had helped them. Two participants asked Meghan for her autograph.

The duchess obliged, writing a message to 12-year-old Kelsey in her notebook:

“Keep shining! All my best, Meg.”

Harry added his signature to the note before the page was torn out and given to the young girl.

Elsewhere, Meghan sat down with a group of girls who taught her how to play Dobble, a fast-paced card game that requires players to spot matching symbols.

She quickly picked up the rules and appeared to enjoy the activity, remarking that she would have to buy the game to play at home.

The interactions reflected the informal nature of the visit, with the couple moving between conversations, games and activities rather than limiting their time to formal meetings.

By the time they were ready to leave, a sizeable crowd had gathered outside the charity’s entrance on the narrow street. Several police officers arrived to help manage the gathering and assist with the departure.

Harry and Meghan left hand in hand, but apologised to supporters who had been waiting outside because they could not stop to greet everyone.

“Sorry, we’re on a tight schedule!” they told the crowd.

Local police helped guide their vehicle back onto the main road.

After the visit, Pete Bewley praised the couple for their continued interest in the charity and the support their presence could bring.

“It was an amazing day to have Harry and Meghan down here again supporting the charities that they have,” he said.

“It’s long-term, sustained impact. They’re helping to raise the profile of the charities.”

Mr Bewley also highlighted the significance of Meghan’s first visit to Epic Partners, describing her as “a positive role model”, particularly for young girls.

A Significant Return to Public Engagements in Britain

The Nottingham visit marked an important public appearance for Harry and Meghan following their return to Britain at the end of August 2026.

Their three engagements brought them into contact with a broad range of people, from community volunteers and schoolchildren to families experiencing financial hardship and young people seeking support.

For Meghan, the day also provided an opportunity to revisit themes that have featured prominently in her charitable work, including women’s empowerment, children’s confidence, food insecurity and community support.

Her reunion with the Grenfell community cooks reflected the continuing connection to a project that began during her time as a working royal. Meanwhile, her conversations with schoolgirls and young people at Epic Partners placed the focus on confidence, creativity and access to opportunities.

The couple’s arrival in Nottingham was also notable for the size and enthusiasm of the crowds, with supporters lining the streets to offer flowers, request photographs and welcome them back to Britain.

Their public engagements took place despite the distinction made by King Charles that they remain private citizens and do not represent the monarchy.

The visit also coincided with a major engagement for the King and Queen, who were attending the ceremonial opening of the Welsh Parliament. It was Charles’s first time attending the ceremony as monarch.

Although the Sussexes’ Nottingham appearances were not official royal engagements, the busy itinerary and public walkabouts gave the day many of the familiar features associated with royal visits.

By the end of the afternoon, Harry and Meghan had completed all three stops, met supporters who had waited to see them and spent time with the organisations whose work brought them to the city.

Their first joint public engagements in Britain since their return were over, but the visit offered a clear indication of the charitable causes they continue to support and the communities with which they hope to maintain lasting relationships.