Harry- Meghan’s 1st royal visit
Nottingham ( UK): Prince Harry and his American actress fiancee Meghan Markle embarked on Friday on their first joint royal visit since announcing their engagement this week.
Mr Harry and Ms Meghan, who broke the news of their forthcoming marriage on Monday, went on a walkabout in the central English city of Nottingham, meeting members of the public as a couple for the first time.
The two were due to visit an Aids Day charity fair at a museum and a school taking part in a programme to combat youth violence. “Ms Markle cannot wait to meet many of the young people Prince Harry has told her so much about,” Mr Harry’s spokesman Jason Knauf said before the visit.
In their engagement interview on Monday, Ms Markle said she wanted to get to know the “different communities” which make up Britain.
The couple will be going on a six- month tour of Britain before their marriage in May at Windsor Castle, the weekend residence of Mr Harry’s grandmother Queen Elizabeth II and the place where he was baptised. South Africa’s Demi- Leigh Nel- Peters was crowned Miss Universe 2017 on Sunday night in Law Vegas beating 91 others in winning the coveted title in its 66th edition.
She took the crown over first runner- up Miss Colombia Laura Gonzales and second runner- up Miss Jamaica Davina Bennett.
Speaking to this correspondent, the 22- year- old from Sedgefield, South Africa says that the entire experience still feels like a dream.
“I don’t think that the feeling has still sunk in,” she says, adding, “I have not had the time to sit down and think what is really happening. I am having the best time of my life.”
The new Miss Universe adds that everything has been extremely busy and she is yet to “realise” the entire experience.
The fitness instructor goes on to add that her parents are super excited about her win and has always ‘ believed’ in her dream as much as she herself had.
Nel- Peters’ win is almost historic for the nation as a South African pageant holder wins the Miss Universe title for the first time in 39 years.
“It is historic,” NelPeters exclaims, adding, “I am super proud. Not only is this a personal victory for me, but a victory for my entire nation and for all my people.”
She further adds, “I hope it inspires every single young girl and not around the world that if you have a dream, then nothing is impossible.”
The new Miss Universe however adds that a pageant like that is not about looks alone. According to the young winner, it combines both beauty and brains.
This is something reflected in her plans for the next one year as well. She says that she wants to actively reach out and empower women in South Africa and the world over.
“I want to empower women and tell them what skills and knowledge on how to handle situations of carjacking, violence against women, sexual harassment and robbery,”
Nel- Peters herself was held at gunpoint during a carjacking that occurs in Hyde Park, Johannesburg.