Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Face 'Pretend Royal Engagement' Backlash After Nottingham Visit

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Nottingham charity visit drew criticism from some X users who compared the appearance to an official royal engagement. The couple visited community organisations on 15 October during their first joint public appearance in the UK since returning in August.

The visit was undertaken in their private capacity. Guidance issued on King Charles III's behalf on 7 September reaffirmed that they remain non-working royals and do not represent the monarch in their charitable activities.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Return to Nottingham

Harry and Meghan began their visit at the Community Recording Studio (CRS), a charity providing creative activities, mentoring and youth development opportunities.

Meghan participated in a confidence-building workshop for girls, while Harry met young people and local mentors. The charity has a longstanding connection with Harry through his previous work in Nottingham.

The couple then visited Himmah, a community organisation tackling food poverty. Meghan has a connection to the organisation through Together: Our Community Cookbook, which she helped create with the Hubb Community Kitchen. Proceeds from the cookbook also supported Himmah.

Their itinerary concluded at Epic Partners, which supports young people through sports programmes and mentoring.

Nottingham holds particular significance for the couple. It was the location of their first joint public appearance following their engagement announcement in November 2017.

'Pretend Royal Engagement' Draws Criticism Online

Some X users questioned the presentation of the appearances, comparing the couple's interactions with well-wishers and the media coverage to a traditional royal visit.

One user described the outing as 'the pretend Royal Engagement of it all'.

Other comments focused on whether the Sussexes should retain their royal titles while undertaking independent charitable and commercial activities.

The visit also drew scrutiny from commenters who highlighted the barriers, media arrangements and interactions with well-wishers, which resembled elements of a traditional royal walkabout. However, the appearances were not official Royal Family engagements, despite their similarities to traditional royal visits.

The reactions reflect continuing disagreement over how the couple should conduct their public and charitable activities after relinquishing their roles as working royals.

Some Critics Call for Titles to Be Removed

Some users went beyond criticising the Nottingham appearance and called for Harry and Meghan's titles to be removed.

However, their titles and their former working roles are separate matters. Harry and Meghan remain the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, titles granted by Queen Elizabeth II on their wedding day on 19 May 2018.

Under the arrangements agreed when they stepped back from royal duties in 2020, they do not use their His and Her Royal Highness styles.

The September guidance reaffirmed their non-working status following their return to Britain. It did not announce the removal of their titles or a prohibition on independent charitable work.

The comments calling for a change therefore represent critics' demands, rather than an announced decision by the King or the Royal Household.

King Charles' Royal Status Clarification Delivers a 'Reality Check'

The guidance issued on 7 September at the King's direction described Harry and Meghan as private citizens with commercial and charitable interests. It reiterated that they do not carry out official duties representing the monarch.

The letter also made clear that there had been no change to their position. Their return to the UK did not automatically restore the roles they relinquished in 2020.

Their charitable activities remain personal matters, separate from the work of the Royal Household. The Nottingham appearances should therefore be understood in that context, regardless of comparisons made online with their earlier royal visits.

The couple's itinerary centred on youth development, community support and food poverty. Their continuing connection to those causes does not, in itself, amount to a resumption of official royal duties.