NOTTINGHAM, England — Police were forced to step in to clear a path on Thursday when crowds swarmed a vehicle carrying Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during their first official joint appearance since moving back to the United Kingdom.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were leaving Epic Partners, a children’s charity located on Edale Road in Nottingham, when members of the public surrounded their Range Rover and blocked the vehicle’s departure, Page Six reported. Officers on the scene instructed onlookers to give way, telling people to “tuck in” and “keep shuffling back,” according to an account from Hello! Magazine’s royal correspondent.
A return to public engagements
Thursday’s itinerary marked the couple’s first joint public outing since relocating from California to the U.K. in August alongside their two children, 7-year-old Prince Archie and 5-year-old Princess Lilibet. Nottingham carries personal significance for the couple, as it served as the site of their first joint royal engagement following the announcement of their engagement in late 2017.
Before the crowd incident outside the youth organization, Harry, 42, and Meghan, 45, attended an acting workshop at the Community Recording Studio. They subsequently met with members of the Hubb Community Kitchen during a visit to the Himmah Hub food bank, Page Six and Fox News reported. Markle greeted well-wishers during the day, receiving a balloon and yellow roses while telling a bystander that “it’s great to be back.”
Status as private citizens
The visit comes after a formal statement issued last month on behalf of King Charles III, 77, confirming that the couple would not resume working royal roles. The palace clarified that the two remain private citizens pursuing commercial and charitable endeavors, meaning their appearances take place without the formal state infrastructure typically provided to working members of the royal family.
Harry has made several independent appearances since returning to Britain, including attending a rugby match and the Invictus Spirit Gala, Page Six reported. Markle has also been seen socially in England, meeting with Malala Yousafzai at London’s Claridge’s hotel earlier this month to mark International Day of the Girl alongside her lifestyle label, As Ever.
Despite the family’s relocation to England, Harry remains estranged from his older brother, Prince William, according to Page Six. Meanwhile, the Princess of Wales announced an initiative through the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood on Friday, unveiling a new portrait and video emphasizing the value of outdoor nature-based research for infant development.
Nottinghamshire Police did not immediately issue a public statement regarding the security response outside the charity. It remains to be seen how frequently the Sussexes will schedule further joint public events in the U.K. as they establish their independent charitable and business operations.
