Meghan Markle and Prince Harry shared an emotional reunion with four women who cooked for grieving families in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex kissed, hugged and held hands with the Grenfell 'ladies', who helped feed families devastated by the 2017 tragedy that claimed 72 lives.
The touching reunion came as the couple visited a food poverty charity in Nottingham, where the women had been invited to join them for a special lunch.
Meghan has maintained a close relationship with the community cooks, having made regular private visits to see them following the devastating blaze in west London.
Their work later inspired a community cookbook championed by the duchess, with proceeds helping to support the women and their charitable efforts.
The Sussexes were greeted by cheers from around 50 well-wishers as they arrived at Himmah Hub, a former Methodist church which has been transformed into a centre supporting people struggling with food poverty.
The couple appeared relaxed and smiled as they were welcomed by charity executives.
Prince Harry visits the Himmah Hub in Nottingham. They were greeted by cheers from around 50 well-wishers as they arrived at the former Methodist church
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex kissed, hugged and held hands with the women, who helped feed families devastated by the 2017 tragedy that claimed 72 lives
Meghan has maintained a close relationship with the community cooks, having made regular private visits to see them following the devastating blaze in west London
Harry later told the BBC: 'It's great to be back, wonderful, and great to be back in Nottingham too.'
But it was Meghan's reunion with the Grenfell women that proved particularly emotional.
The four cooks - Dayo Gilmour, Intlak Alsaiegh, Faiza Hayani Bellili and Leila Hedjem - were helping prepare a lunch of chicken tagine and other dishes in the charity's basement kitchen.
As Meghan was introduced to staff at demonstration cooking stations outside the kitchen, she made clear that seeing her old friends was her first priority.
'I want to meet all of you, it smells amazing, but I have to go see my ladies first,' she told them.
The duchess then made her way into the kitchen, where she individually embraced each of the four women before they came together for a large group hug.
During the emotional exchange, one of the women remarked 'it's been too long', prompting Meghan to reply 'at least five years'.
Harry joined the reunion a few minutes later and was also warmly embraced by the women.
'We've missed you so much', one told the duke.
Meghan later described the opportunity to catch up with the community cooks as 'really, really meaningful'.
The reunion came during Harry and Meghan's first joint public engagements in Britain since returning to live in the UK in August, six years after stepping back as working members of the Royal Family.
Meghan packs a bag with food during her visit to the Himmah Hub, a food poverty community action group in Nottingham
The kitchen brought together women from communities affected by the Grenfell disaster, who prepared meals and offered support to families whose lives had been torn apart by the fire
Their visit to Nottingham was particularly significant because the city hosted their first official public appearance together following their engagement announcement in 2017.
Meghan first became involved with the Hubb Community Kitchen in 2018, when she helped produce Together: Our Community Cookbook, one of her first solo charitable projects as a member of the Royal Family.
The kitchen brought together women from communities affected by the Grenfell disaster, who prepared meals and offered support to families whose lives had been torn apart by the fire.
The cookbook went on to raise more than $1million for community initiatives, while its proceeds have also supported Himmah, including a £10,000 donation in 2021.
During Thursday's visit, the duke and duchess also helped with cooking and met volunteers supporting the charity's work tackling hunger and inequality.
The couple's Nottingham engagements also included a visit to the Community Recording Studio, which helps disadvantaged young people, and Epic Partners, an organisation providing mentoring, sports and educational opportunities for children and families.
Harry previously donated £1.1million to BBC Children in Need to support young people affected by violence following a visit to the recording studio last year.
Despite the royal-style appearances, the Sussexes are no longer working members of the monarchy, having stepped down from their official duties in 2020.