Harry and Meghan’s Nottingham Visit Features Familiar Face From William and Kate’s Royal Circle

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were joined by a former royal aide who previously also worked for Prince William and Princess Kate.

The global spotlight was firmly placed on Nottingham last week when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made their first joint appearance in the UK since their return. The smallest of details, from Markle wearing British designs to Harry helping his wife climb down a step, were noticed by royal fans across the world. So, naturally, the presence of a former Kensington Palace aide in the Sussexes’ team didn’t go unnoticed.

Beth Herlihy, who is Harry and Markle’s programme co-ordinator, joined the couple for their milestone UK outing on Thursday. The former actress and PR expert previously worked for the royal family and led events at the Royal Foundation, which, at the time, was jointly run by Prince William, Princess Kate, and the Sussexes. After the latter split from the charitable arm in 2018, Herlihy continued working with Harry and Meghan. 

Now in Nottingham, dressed in a brown jumper, the PR expert was spotted accompanying the Duke and Duchess alongside her PR firm co-founder, Clara Loughran. Herlihy stood near the Sussexes as they completed their walkabout outside the Community Recording Studio before ushering them to their respective engagements. Fans gifted the pair flowers and balloons, which Herlihy helped carry. 

Herlihy and Loughran had worked as Harry’s programme manager and helped co-ordinate his dreamy 2018 wedding to Markle. The former was previously made a member of the Royal Victorian Order by the late Queen Elizabeth on the Duke’s recommendation. She had accompanied the Sussexes on several occasions, including the 2023 Invictus Games in Germany, and the one-year countdown event for the 2025 Invictus Games in Whistler, Canada. 

On the other hand, Herlihy’s partner, Loughran, is married to Nick Loughran, Harry’s former assistant communications secretary, who is now a trustee at the Invictus Games Foundation. Clearly, the Sussexes share a deep, long-standing relationship with the two PR experts. They might have accompanied the couple in Nottingham to ensure their big moment went smoothly without any hiccups. 

Harry and Markle’s visit to Nottingham was not only a callback to their first-ever royal engagement in the same city in 2017, but it felt eerily similar to a royal visit. Visiting charitable organizations, conducting walkabouts, and giving sartorial tributes — all elements that fit perfectly with what a royal engagement is expected to be. Except the pair are not working royals, and as far as the Palace verdict goes, private citizens in the UK.