Summary

Media caption,
Watch: Harry and Meghan at first joint engagement since UK return
  1. Appearance by Meghan is rare, national paper sayspublished at 10:26 BST 15 October

    Isaac Ashe
    East Midlands

    She may be visiting Nottingham today, but the Duchess of Sussex is "reading a lot of scripts", and will focus on her family, lifestyle brand and rebooting her acting career during her new life in the UK, a national paper has said.

    Meghan has "different professional priorities" to Harry, a source told The Telegraph - so public appearances will be "relatively rare" for Meghan.

    Today actually marks the first time in four years that Meghan has appeared publicly at events in the UK - the last time being the late Queen's funeral in 2022.

    Meghan at the funeralImage source, Reuters
  2. Anticipation building in Nottinghampublished at 10:24 BST 15 October

    Noor Nanji
    Royal correspondant

    The group of fans waiting has been building up over the morning, some carrying flowers.

    One child has a unicorn balloon, which is sure to catch the couple's eye.

    Crowds
  3. 'Don't believe you're not liked - because you are'published at 10:22 BST 15 October

    Asha Patel
    Nottingham

    Amanda Geary, 54, from Sherwood in Nottingham, has a message to give to the couple.

    She said: "I am a fan, I've been a fan of Harry ever since he was born. I remember the day well.

    "Meghan seems so lovely, and it'll be lovely to meet her.

    "If I could speak to them, I'd say don't believe that you're not liked because you are."

    Gathered crowds
  4. Woman hoping to add to selfie collectionpublished at 10:15 BST 15 October

    Asha Patel
    Nottingham

    Charlotte O'Neill, 39, from Mapperley in the city, met Harry at the same venue last year - and managed to snap a selfie.

    She said: "He was so kind.

    "I got a selfie with him last year, so I'm hoping to get another one today to add to the collection."

    Charlotte O'Neil
  5. Schoolchildren arrive at charitypublished at 10:13 BST 15 October

    Asha Patel
    Nottingham

    Children walking in in red uniforms

    There was excitement as schoolchildren arrived at the CRS.

    Members of the public readied cameras, hoping the couple might be arriving.

  6. 'Maybe we'll shake hands?'published at 10:12 BST 15 October

    Asha Patel
    Nottingham

    Margaret Langdon, from Carlton in Nottinghamshire, is also here to see the couple.

    She was at work during their last visit, so missed out.

    Margaret

    She said: "I am a fan of the couple. This is a fantastic opportunity.

    "I'm going to mingle with the crowds, see Harry and Meghan, take a few photos and maybe shake hands - who knows?"

  7. 'We have found Meghan Markle quite inspirational'published at 10:10 BST 15 October

    Asha Patel
    Nottingham

    Three women

    Friends Nicole Taylor, Lisa Munjemu and Emily Davies have come to CRS to see the couple.

    The 21-year-olds say Meghan has been a big inspiration for them since they were 13.

    Lisa said: "We have come to hopefully see Meghan Markle and Harry. All the three of us have found Meghan Markle quite inspirational to us, I think it would be nice to welcome them back.

    "I think her level of confidence, the way she holds herself high even when it might seem to be difficult, I think a lot of people can relate to that."

  8. Charity calls Harry and Meghan's support 'incredible'published at 10:07 BST 15 October

    Isaac Ashe
    East Midlands

    Trevor Rose, chief executive of CRS, has been speaking to the BBC this morning.

    He said: "It's exciting times. I found out a couple of weeks ago, completely random. Two weeks later and we're here.

    "Without them I don't think we'd be here. The support they've given us has driven the kids to do more, to want to be more.

    "It's incredible, the dreams the kids have thought are happening."

  9. Crowds gathering outside the studiopublished at 10:05 BST 15 October

    Noor Nanji
    Royal correspondant

    Crowds

    The world's media has started to gather outside the Community Recording Studio in Nottingham, which is stop one on Harry and Meghan's visit to the city.

    The door is open, and there is a lot of bustling and people going in and out, getting things ready for the arrivals.

    There's a distinct air of excitement when you speak to anyone from the charity. The CEO Trevor Rose told me they only found out about the trip a few weeks ago, and couldn't believe it.

  10. Harry and the Community Recording Studiopublished at 10:03 BST 15 October

    Isaac Ashe
    East Midlands

    A youth and community charity founded in 1991 by Trevor Rose and Nick Street, the Community Recording Studio (CRS) was set up to provide young people with access to music and recording facilities.

    It now offers a broad range of creative activities, including sport, mentoring and youth development.

    Harry's relationship with CRS, based in Lowdham Street in Sneinton, began with a private visit in 2013, while last year he returned to CRS to announce a £1.1m donation to BBC Children in Need.

    Jah Digga

    Harry will meet Jah Digga (pictured above), a Nottingham rapper, musician, poet and youth mentor who attended CRS as a child.

    Meghan will join a bracelet-making workshop, focused on building confidence through discussions about self-belief.

    The couple will also watch an acting workshop at the CRS.

  11. Three charities in Nottingham to visitpublished at 09:59 BST 15 October

    Jeremy Ball
    Social affairs correspondent, BBC East Midlands Today

    The Sussexes will be visiting charities they have supported for several years, including the Himmah food hub in Radford and Epic Partners in Sneinton.

    But it all begins at a youth project in St Ann's - where Harry's made a large personal donation to rebuild the Community Recording Studio.

  12. An affection for the citypublished at 09:56 BST 15 October

    Daniela Relph
    Senior royal correspondent

    They will have a private security team with them in Nottingham - they are still seeking taxpayer-funded police protection in the UK.

    And the day's events will follow a very similar format to their past royal duties, although they now do this work not as royalty, but just as public figures and supporters of individual organisations.

    When you talk to Harry and Meghan's team, the language around the visit to Nottingham is personal. It's where they embarked on public life together nine years ago.

    They talk about "an affection for the city", and "always feeling a warmth there".

    It is why Nottingham has been chosen as the first location the public will see them together since their move back to the UK.

  13. Duke and Duchess of Sussex due to arrive in Nottinghampublished at 09:51 BST 15 October

    Daniela Relph
    Senior royal correspondent

    Since moving back to the UK in August, the Duchess of Sussex has not appeared at any official event with her husband.

    Meghan's social media posts have provided the best insight into the family's new life - with their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet - images which have been a mix of autumnal walks and family bike rides.

    But today Meghan and Harry will attend three engagements in Nottingham, visiting projects they had previous contact with when they were working members of the royal family.

    Harry and MeghanImage source, Reuters

    Harry and Meghan come to Nottingham with a different status than their last joint visit in 2017. Then, they were working members of the royal family ahead of their wedding.

    Now the royal household has made it clear they view them as private citizens with no official status.

    Harry and Meghan view it slightly differently - they see themselves as public figures who can help elevate the projects they support.

  14. Harry and Meghan set for first joint event since UK returnpublished at 09:43 BST 15 October

    Isaac Ashe
    BBC News, East Midlands

    Hello and welcome to our live coverage as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are due to visit Nottingham in what will be their first royal-style joint engagement since returning to the UK.

    Meghan is due to make her first official public appearance in the UK, since moving back with her family from California, here in Nottingham.

    She will join her husband Harry for a number of events related to their charity work.

    The city was the location of their first official royal visit after they announced their engagement in 2017.