Crowds in Nottingham are sending a clear message to Duchess Meghan: you are welcome here.
The mother of two joined husband Prince Harry in the city on Thursday, Oct. 15, for their first joint public appearance
since their shock return to the U.K. in August. The trip came after six years overseas and against a backdrop of controversy surrounding their roles, royal titles, security arrangements and fractured family relationships.The pair, who lost their HRH titles and taxpayer funded security in 2020, are no longer working royals. But that did not stop them receiving a royal welcome in the city, arriving to cheers, open arms and chants of "we love you."
The duchess, dressed in a burgundy coat, was handed bouquets of flowers as a diverse crowd gathered
to greet them. There were hugs, selfies, smiles and even gifts and balloons for Prince Archie,7, and Princess Lilibet, 5.
"It was, almost, just like old times," Royal Commentator Richard Fitzwilliams tells USA TODAY. "A massive press presence and Harry and Meghan working the crowd." Fitzwilliams called their appearance "exceptional."
The pair were likely nervous before the visit, which came just weeks after King Charles issued a lettermaking it clear that despite their return to Harry's home country, there will be absolutely no change to their royal status.
The document, which reportedly blindsided the couple, also noted that the Sussexes will not be carrying out any official royal engagements on behalf of the king and that they still did not have the right to use the "HRH" titles of His and Her Royal Highness.
The Sussexes return to the public spotlight on Thursday came as the king and queen headed to Cardiff, officially opening the new term of Wales' parliament. Fitzwilliams points out the clash of royal events, predicting it would likely "not be the last time" Meghan and Harry "overshadow" what the royal family is doing.
A boost for Duchess Meghan?
Meghan has not appeared at an official engagement since Queen Elizabeth's funeral in 2022. She has kept a relatively low profile since returning to Britain, with Harry attending events and engagements solo. On both sides of the Atlantic many have wondered how the pair would be received back in Britain, particularly after their tell-all Oprah interview and allegations made in Harry's memoir, "Spare."
In the years since stepping back from life in Britain's royal family, Meghan has spoken out about the hardships of entering the royal spotlight, citing press intrusion and the demands of life within the monarchy among the reasons for feeling suicidal.
"I didn't want to be alive anymore," she told Oprah Winfrey during an explosive interview in 2021. "I was ashamed to admit it to Harry, but I knew if I didn't say it, I would do it."
Earlier this year, Meghan said that "every day for 10 years, I have been bullied and attacked." Her remarks came as the couple visited Australia in April. "I was the most trolled person in the entire world," she said.
The duchess began dating Harry, who is fifth in line to the British throne, in 2016.
Shortly after they began their relationship, Kensington Palace issued a rare statement regarding what it said was "ongoing media abuse and harassment" surrounding Meghan and her family. The unusual remarks called out tabloid reporting and accused social media users of "outright sexism and racism."
Harry has long expressed a desire to protect his wife, whom he married in 2018, and often spoken about the uncomfortable level of public and press interest in his life. Last month, the Sussexes slammed "reckless" photographers lurking outside their kids' new British school, calling their antics an "unacceptable intrusion into the privacy of children."
As Meghan attended a bracelet-making workshop on Thursday she shared some advice with the young people next to her.
"We have to remember to talk to ourselves like we talk to our best friends," she said, according to the BBC. "It's really important to be just as kind to yourself."
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or visit 988lifeline.org for free, confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nottingham's message for Duchess Meghan: you are welcome here
