Reason why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s first official UK appearance is ‘so special’ to them

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have made their first official UK appearance together since moving back to the UK and the location has a very special meaning for them.

The Duchess of Sussex has shared glimpses of her life back in the UK on Instagram after the family moved across the pond from California to the Cotswolds.

Onlookers in Nottingham saw Meghan and Harry in person as the couple arrived at a youth charity event together on Thursday (15 October). The Sussexes are also expected to visit a food bank later today.

The couple posed for pictures with the public and the Duchess spoke to the public, saying ‘it’s great to be back’.

The visit to Nottingham isn’t an official royal event, as the Royal Household has made it clear that the Sussexes are private citizens. They are, however, attending public engagements as public figures and supporters of charitable causes.

Meghan and Harry received a warm reception in Nottingham (Darren Staples / AFP via Getty Images)

The first stop in Nottingham was a visit to the Community Recording Studio, a charity the Duke of Sussex has supported since 2013.

However this is not the only reason why Nottingham was chosen for the huge occasion. A spokesperson for the Sussexes said the city has ‘a special place’ for the couple as it is where they made their first joint appearance after announcing their engagement, the BBC reports.

This took place on 1 December, 2017 and saw the Duke and Duchess of Sussex visit the Terrence Higgins Trust World AIDS Day charity fair at Nottingham Contemporary. World AIDS Day is observed annually on 1 December.

The newly engaged couple viewed the exhibit and greeted representatives from different charities and institutes that work on HIV/AIDS.

The couple also visited Nottingham Academy the same day.

Meghan's engagement ring was on full display during the Nottingham royal engagement on 1 December 2017 (OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

In August this year, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made plans for their children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, to attend school in Britain this autumn.

While the duration of their stay has not been revealed, it is expected that the family will make the UK their main home for an extended period while maintaining their property in California and a holiday home in Portugal.

Their new home in the UK is not a royal property and is located in the Cotswolds.

Since leaving the UK and stepping back from senior royal duties in 2020, one area of contention has been security. After Harry and Meghan stepped back, the pair lost their taxpayer-funded police protection, prompting Harry to contest the decision with a years-long legal battle.

The couple also relinquished Frogmore Cottage, the Windsor home gifted to them by the late Queen Elizabeth II following their wedding in 2018. The couple gave the keys back in 2023.

The pair's return has prompted plenty of questions about what the future holds for the family, particularly when it comes to Harry's relationship with his relatives.

King Charles III previously reiterated that Harry and Meghan would remain non-working royals following their return, underlining the distinction between their private lives and official royal duties.

Despite this, Harry has resumed public appearances in Britain, including attending the WellChild Awards in September, continuing his longstanding relationship with the charity.