A walkabout in Nottingham

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex spent 15 October visiting charities in Nottingham, the city where they first appeared together at an official event after announcing their engagement in 2017. At the Community Recording Studio, a youth charity, about 150 people had gathered to welcome them. Meghan wore a long burgundy coat with her hair tied up and spent several minutes chatting with well-wishers, who gave them flowers, balloons and hugs. The couple arrived about 10 minutes late after getting stuck in traffic following the morning school run. Harry high-fived local schoolchildren and asked which year they were in, while Meghan said it was "wonderful" to be back in the UK.

Activities and reactions

At the charities the couple played pool, tried basketball, baked cupcakes and cooked West African food, with an informal mood at each stop. Visitors told them the visit showed the royal couple's reach beyond the capital. Margaret Langdon, 67, from Carlton, said the visit showed it was not all about London, and that small cities matter as well.

“They've come to Nottingham to see us, so the least we could do is come out and see them.”

Among those rewarded with warm hugs was a 90-year-old woman from Roddington, who brandished a framed photograph of herself meeting the couple in December 2017. Meghan responded with a recollection of that day.

“That was our very first walkabout. Oh my gosh, what a great memory.”

Royal status and security

Buckingham Palace regards the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as private citizens, and the appearance was not an official royal engagement, although the couple are said to consider themselves public figures. On 15 October King Charles III was at the ceremonial opening of the Senedd in Cardiff, carrying out royal duties. A letter released in September in the King's name confirmed the couple remain non-active members of the royal family and will not resume official duties for the Crown. The Home Office is still considering whether to restore the public police protection the family had as working royals, El Periódico reported. The couple set up home in England in August, six years after quitting the monarchy and relocating to the US.

What comes next

A source close to the couple told The Telegraph that joint charity engagements will not happen often, because the two have different professional priorities. Prince Harry's focus is philanthropy and community service, while Meghan prioritises family life, then her business, and finally a relaunch of her acting career. Representatives say Meghan plans to launch a UK version of her lifestyle brand As Ever, possibly before Christmas. The couple are expected to spend Christmas with Meghan's mother rather than at Sandringham, the BBC reported. Later in October the King travels to the Caribbean, and in November the Prince of Wales goes to India with his Earthshot environmental prize.