Prince Harryand Duchess Meghan are stepping out for their first official event since their return – and the location holds special meaning.
The pair, who moved back to Britain in late August after six years away, are visiting the city of Nottingham, more than 100 miles from the capital. The couple will visit a number of local organizations, including the Community Recording Studio, a youth and community charity close to Harry's heart and where Meghan will meet young girls for a confidence-boosting workshop.
The duke and duchess will also visit Himmah Hub, a food poverty community action group.
Since their return, Harry has been spotted solo at various engagements and events, including The WellChild Awardsand even a rugby game. Wife Meghan, however,
has kept a lower profile, though she has been spotted in country pubs and at Soho Farmhouse, a rural retreat for A-listers.
Nottingham holds a special place in the Sussex's royal love story.
The couple visited the city in December 2017, marking their first official public outing together. The visit came just weeks after Buckingham Palace announced their engagement and gave Meghan her first taste of life in the royal spotlight. They were married in May the following year.
During that trip the pair were met with cheers and applause, with people waving flags and handing out flowers, the BBC reported at the time. They visited a school and a World Aids Day charity.
The couple's shock decision to return to Britain has been shrouded in controversy and raised unsolved questions for British officials and King Charles regarding their security. The couple were stripped of their tax-payer funded protection when they stepped back from their royal roles in 2020.
Since returning, Meghan's phone number was leaked and the pair's children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, were forced to switch schools over security concerns. After changing schools, European photographers were spotted lurking outside their new one, prompting the Sussexes to issue a scathing statement, branding their actions "reckless."
It is understood that British officials are reviewing security options for the family, who currently rely on a private security firm.
Within days of the couple's return, the king penned a letter which made the pair's royal status clear. The document said that Harry and Meghan would remain as non-working royals and will not be carrying out any official royal engagements on behalf of the sovereign. The pair were reportedly surprised by the document.
The letter, which was was sent to Harry's team and to the government, said that the pair will still not be able to use the "HRH" titles of His and Her Royal Highness, a right they lost in 2020 following their retreat from royal life.
The Sussexes are expected to spend the holidays with Meghan's mom, Doria Ragland, though it is unclear if that will be in Britain or California.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Prince Harry and Meghan make first joint appearance since UK return
