Meghan mania!
High fives, hugs & bags of Haribo on royal fiancee’s first official visit
MEGHAN Markle carried out her first royal duties yesterday – and it was clear Britain has taken her to their hearts.
Just five days after she and Prince Harry announced their engagement, the American actress won over crowds as she visited charities supported by her new fiance.
And she told them just how welcome she had been made to feel in the UK during the 20-minute walkabout.
On a bitterly cold day, Meghan, 36, brought a special cheer as she met volunteers and staff as well as the public who had turned out in their hundreds to see her.
And she was greeted by chants of “Meghan, Meghan” as the couple arrived in Nottingham city centre at AIDS charity the Terence Higgins Trust, which once worked closely with Harry’s mum Princess Diana.
They then travelled to Nottingham Academy to see the work of the Full Effect project set up by William, Kate and Harry, aimed at reducing crime and keeping youngsters on the right track. A few of the
boys and girls in the crowd received a surprise high-five from Harry along the route as Meghan reached out to touch hands of fans.
Wellwisher Irene Hardman, 81, said: “She kept saying, ‘I can’t believe it, I’ve been made so welcome.’”
Meghan was happy to clutch the bag of Haribos given to her husband-to-be by Irene as he was chatting to people.
Emotional Irene said afterwards: “I cried, she’s wonderful, and it’s fantastic. They’re so genuine.”
Meghan also showed she is quickly learning royal protocol as one of the crowd asked for a photo with her.
Barbara Miller, 61, said: “I said, ‘Can we have a selfie?’ She said, ‘We’re not allowed to do selfies.’ I said congratulations. She said thank you very much for braving the cold. She was so pleasant, she was lovely.” At the Academy, the royal couple were treated to an improvised play about a young couple who decided to go public about their secret relationship. Nottingham city council chief executive Ian Curryer said: “It’s great to have them. Prince Harry comes a lot because of his private charity work. Prince Harry said we’re delighted to be here and look at the number of people who’ve turned out.”
Mum Bushra Wasty had brought baby Danial, 20 months, to see the royals. The 31-year-old said of Meghan: “She is amazing, she seems so driven, and she is also a woman of colour.
“I don’t think Harry was trying to be PC, he fell in love, but the fact is he is colour blind. Meghan stands for something new.”
Julie Ball, 51, was wearing €2 Primark fingerless Santa gloves she bought specially for the occasion, which were spotted by both Meghan and Harry.
The prince told her: “I love them.” And his fiancee declared: “They are such sweet gloves.” When Julie told her Harry liked them, too, she replied: “We must have the same taste then.”
Overcome, Julie said later: “I’m never going to wash them.” There was even a jibe aimed in jest at Harry’s hair. One young redhead shouted from the crowds: “How does it feel to be a ginger with Meghan?’’ Harry replied: “Great, isn’t it? Unbelievable.” During the visit Meghan spoke about her passions. Speaking with one clinical hypnotherapist about yoga, she said: “I love incorporating it into my life, it is something I have always done.”
And the American, who will become a British citizen before next May’s wedding, showed she understood the passion for the national game.
She said: “Football is the number one sport for bringing the human race together.” At Nottingham Contemporary art gallery the couple met people working with different HIV charities on what was World Aids Day. One was Positively UK peer mentor Chris
She kept saying, ‘I can’t believe I’ve been made so welcome’
IRENE HARDMAN FAN DURING ROYAL VISIT