I Was There for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Nottingham Visit — Here's What Really Happened
EXCLUSIVE ANALYSIS: Our Associate Editor was on the ground in Nottingham for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's first joint engagement since their move back from California. Away from all the controversy, their reception they received told a different story.
WHEN Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan stepped out onto the crowded street in St Ann's, Nottingham, they were greeted by cheers from the gathered crowd.
I was not surprised by the reception of the respectably sized group; after all, it was familiar ground for the pair. This city in the heart of the East Midlands has always been special for the Duke of Sussex, having completed work on the Royal Foundation's Full Effect initiative. This was also the scene where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped out for the first time to greet the adoring public after announcing their intention to marry. The pair have also since returned to the city on a number of occasions before their move to California.
If there was a place of friendly ground which would give the Duke and Duchess a full circle moment, it would be Nottingham. After a tumultuous few years away from Britain after his bombshell autobiography, an explosive Netflix docu-series and a highly critical sit-down interview with Oprah Winfrey, a return to public engagements on British soil was never going to be straightforward. However, the Nottingham communities that welcomed the Sussexes showed that they don't just love the Sussexes; they utterly adore them.
In turn, the pair seemed instantly relaxed and completely at ease as they happily conversed with those eagerly awaiting their presence, as they were gifted with bags of presents and flower bouquets. While this trip was meant to reaffirm the connections the Sussexes share with their charities, there was a palpable feeling that their presence over the last few years was sorely missed. Irene Hardman, 90, met Meghan on her first walkabout outside of the Nottingham Contemporary museum in 2017. After announcing their engagement, the couple attended a charity fair at the venue for the Terrence Higgins Trust to mark World AIDS Day. Meghan encountered Hardman in the crowd as she made her way into the Community Recording Studio, with a visible smile when she was shown the photograph, framed in glass. Her daughter Mary, who accompanied her, added: "I think, I think they've got a lot to offer."
But before departing the St Ann's location an hour later, after accepting another flower bouquet, Meghan excitedly caught another glimpse of Hardman. Rushing over, the pair shared an extended hug, as Irene declared, "My lovely, lovely friend, I love you to bits," before she lovingly kissed the front of Meghan's hands. The Nottingham resident then declared, "Until next time, I'll be thinking of you,".
Reflecting on the interaction immediately afterwards, Irene exclusively told me: "The hug meant everything; it really was. It was wonderful, thank you." It was a touching interaction, but one that seemed symbolic of the sheer affection Meghan still commands among those who have followed her journey from the very beginning.
Meanwhile, for another local named Michelle, their appearance was a very welcome sight. Speaking to the Royal Observer, she said: "They interact with everybody, no matter your race, your disability, your ability, or just they interact with everybody. They're such a beautiful, genuine couple, and they deserve each other, and they deserve to be happy, and it's lovely seeing them do what they're best at." The Carlton resident added: "What they're doing, the charities, their work that they're doing is amazing."
For those fans who love Meghan Markle, I caught the impression that she is adored on a visceral level. Isha is a resident of Sneinton, where Epic Partners is located, which was the Duke and Duchess's third stop. When asked how much the local support means from Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan, she told the Royal Observer: "It means a lot to me, it really does. Harry's always supported Nottingham. He's always come, and to bring Meghan to our local area, it's lovely and really nice representation for people of colour as well." Other locals who did not wish to be named on the record emphasised to me personally what it means to have Meghan as a figure of representation who makes them feel properly seen. Her voice, position and status speak to many members of the public on a level which might feel underrepresented in other areas of mainstream culture.
It was a striking reminder that the national conversation surrounding Meghan Markle does not necessarily reflect how she is perceived by those who feel represented by her. Whilst commentators continue to dissect her relationship with the Royal Family. For Nottingham residents, the conversations I had suggested that Meghan's presence carried a significance that goes far beyond any royal title she acquired through marriage.
At Epic Partners, Meghan led a rendition of 'Happy Birthday' to co-chief operating officer Michaela Castillo-Williams, who turned 30. Afterwards, Castillo-Williams remarked: “For Meghan and Harry to come and support and for their generous donations means so much to me. I’m here every day, supporting these guys, and to have [Harry and Meghan] having our back and showing up today is incredible.” After the visit, charity chief executive Bewley called the day, “amazing.” He revealed: "It’s long-term, sustained impact that they’ve had — not just the donations but the actual raising the profile of the need for support.”
He added: “It’s people who are interested in their life, their progress. For some of the young people we’ve got and some of the staff who’ve met Harry ten years ago when they were volunteers. He’s been part of that journey and progressed all the way through. Having that is really special for that long-term relationship rather than just being a funded activity. You don’t get that with many stakeholders in the charity world.”
The Nottingham visit had many of the familiar hallmarks of a typical royal engagement, albeit without the official status that would once have accompanied it. But instead of all the controversy that has surrounded Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan for the last few years, those I encountered in Nottingham had little interest in the intricacies of Palace politics. Instead, there was a sense of overwhelming gratitude for a couple who continued to support grassroots causes they are passionate about.
For the communities I visited, the royal titles or official status did not seem to matter. It was the support they continue to provide, and the deep relationships they continue to maintain that meant the most.
Harry and Meghan have shown they do not necessarily need direct ties to the Crown to carry out their work. Nor do their grateful charities require official ties to the Institution to feel supported and valued. Judging by the reception in Nottingham, that affection goes both ways.
Watch the full Nottingham special of The Royal Observer's exclusive show, The Windsor Report HERE.
