When Prince Harry and his wife Meghan arrived back in the UK this summer, six years after their dramatic exit, Harry’s father King Charles was at pains to ensure everyone knew they are not returning as working royals.
But as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex took to the streets on Thursday for their first official engagement since returning to live in England full-time, their behaviour was every bit that of obedient royals on a walkabout.
Charles and the rest of the family might live to regret pushing out the Sussexes so completely, as they yet again prove themselves relatable and likeable to the public at a time when the royals need all the help they can get to get the country back on side.
The people’s princess?
Harry and Meghan’s first joint official engagement today followed the pattern of a classic royal visit, with three stop-offs at community events in Nottingham.
For the residents who turned out to watch them arrive, this visit was no different to their previous stop-off in the town after their engagement in 2017, with barricades and a police presence to protect the couple just as in a royal engagement.
Meghan’s popularity was evident from the moment they stepped out of their dark blue Range Rover for their first stop at a community recording studio, with one woman shouting, “We love you Duchess Meghan, we love you”.
Bunches of flowers were handed to the Duchess as she hugged locals and kissed one woman on the cheek.
If there is one thing the Royal Family needs as the shadow of Harry’s uncle Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest continues to hover, it is some popular figures out and about showing the public the family’s support for charities and good causes.
Mary Cooper, 69, who met Harry when he came to the recording studio in 2013, said the couple are “lovely people”.
She told the Press Association: “It’s very nice that they’d come back to the same place that Harry’s been to. I said [to him] ‘you’re still as nice as ever Harry’. He said ‘thank you very much’.”
A glimpse of family life
Joining a confidence-building session for young girls earlier this afternoon, the Duchess shared a rare detail about her daughter Lilibet during the first event, telling the assembled children that her daughter is doing gymnastics and “loves it”.
The couple have previously been firm about keeping their children’s lives private, so saying this in front of this assembled press pack could signify a shift in stance over this.
Last month, Harry’s brother Prince William and wife Kate shared pictures of their son Prince George’s first day at Eton College, a royal tradition given in exchange for the press largely leaving the Prince alone during his school days.
If Meghan and Harry are prepared to share similar small peeks into their children’s lives, this could further improve their public image.
Just a regular couple
The Sussexes’ second stop, at food poverty charity Himmah Hub, saw them don aprons and get involved with the cooking like any couple used to feeding a family.
Meghan has already revealed this side through her lifestyle show Love Meghan, which showed her whipping up meals in the kitchen and even mentioning Harry’s signature dish – scrambled eggs.
Reminding fans that they are no longer living the royal lifestyle with household staff attending to their every need could garner them more public sympathy, especially when set against Mountbatten-Windsor reportedly attempting to continue with his lavish lifestyle after leaving the Royal Family.
Richard Fitzwilliam, a royal commentator, said the King would be “worried” and “very concerned” about today’s events and the risk that Harry and Meghan’s popularity could see them setting up as a rival Royal Family.
He said: “Today is very good example, the King opened the Welsh Senedd – that was completely overshadowed by what’s happened.”
Analysing Harry and Meghan’s body language during their visit, Fitzwilliam said they were more “touchy feely” than the Royals, and that their charitable projects will likely gain them more popularity.
“You can see the tremendous media interest and a good deal of popular interest, they’ve got their admirers there,” he said. “There appears to be liaison between the palace and them and what they’re doing, so anything in theory could happen.”