Harry and Meghan make first joint public appearance since returning to UK
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited three Nottingham charities on Thursday, 15 October, their first joint public engagement since moving back to the UK in August. Their security arrangements and family life in the UK are also under scrutiny.
A first joint outing since the move
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made their first joint public appearance since returning to the UK on Thursday, 15 October, in Nottingham. The BBC described it as Meghan's first official public appearance since moving back, and fans gathered steadily through the morning, some carrying flowers while one child held a unicorn balloon. The couple hugged and posed for selfies with the public, according to the BBC. Their spokesperson called Nottingham "a special place" for them both, because it is where they made their first joint appearance after announcing their engagement in 2017. The Royal Household regards the pair as private citizens, so they attend these events as public figures and supporters of the projects they visit.
Three charity visits
The schedule opens at the Community Recording Studio, a youth music charity that Prince Harry has supported since 2013. Its chief executive, Trevor Rose, told the BBC that the charity only learned of the trip a few weeks before it happened, and he could hardly believe it when the visit was confirmed.
I thought it was going to be something in the future, next thing I know it's two weeks later and we are here, so yeah it's a complete shock.
Later in the day the couple are expected to visit Himmah Hub, a local charity fighting food poverty, where they will watch cooking classes and help prepare food parcels. Their third stop is Epic Partners, a group that supports young people through youth work, sport and mentoring. The couple travel with a private security team, and local police are understood to know about the visit.
Security review and family life
Ravec, the committee that oversees royal and VIP security, is reportedly reconsidering the police protection given to Harry and Meghan. The reason is that the couple and their two children are now full-time residents rather than visitors, BBC News understands. The couple have reportedly settled in the Cotswolds, and their children changed schools after their security team raised concerns about the school run. The family returned to the UK in August after six years living in the US.
Ties to Nottingham and Christmas plans
The Independent notes that Harry's ties to the city run deep, built over years of visits both openly and discreetly. He first visited Nottingham in 2013, when he encountered the Community Recording Studio, and the pair's first shared home, Nottingham Cottage in the grounds of Kensington Palace in London, is where Harry proposed to Meghan.
- Harry begins supporting the Community Recording Studio, according to the BBC
- Harry and Meghan make their first joint appearance in Nottingham after announcing their engagement
- The couple return to the UK after six years living in the US
- First joint public engagement since returning to the UK, in Nottingham
The couple will not join the traditional royal family Christmas gathering at Sandringham in Norfolk, where the King hosts relatives each year. BBC News understands they are likely to spend the holiday privately with Meghan's mother instead.
