Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to make their first joint public appearance in the United Kingdom since September 2022, signaling a strategic effort to reconnect with the British public through charitable work. The couple will participate in a series of engagements on Thursday in Nottingham, the city where they made their first public walkabout together after announcing their engagement in 2017. Their schedule includes visits to three charitable organizations: the Community Recording Studio, EpicPartners—a sports mentoring charity for children—and the Himmath Food Bank, where they will also meet members of the Hubb Community Kitchen, a group formed in response to the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire.
This return to public life in the UK reflects a broader attempt by the Sussexes to soften perceptions and rebuild their standing after a turbulent period marked by their departure from royal duties, a revealing memoir, and controversial media appearances. At the height of his popularity in November 2017, Prince Harry shared approval ratings comparable to those of his brother, Prince William, at approximately 81 percent. However, since stepping back from royal roles, their public approval ratings have significantly declined, leaving Harry and Meghan trailing the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who remain among the most favored members of the royal family.
The Sussexes’ approach focuses on visible charitable involvement, a departure from the more confrontational tone of past years. Meghan’s longstanding support for the Hubb Community Kitchen, including her championing of its fundraising cookbook Together—which raised over £900,000—demonstrates continuity in her charitable priorities centered on women and families. Recently, Meghan formed a partnership with Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai, committing a portion of profits from her luxury condiment company, As Ever, to support the International Day of the Girl. She also drew attention by modeling a sweatshirt benefiting Moms Offering More, a charity assisting disadvantaged families in the United States.
Prince Harry, meanwhile, appears to be realigning his philanthropic focus on efforts such as the Invictus Games, the adaptive sports competition he founded, which serves as a major platform for the former royal’s charitable work. The upcoming Invictus Games in Birmingham next July will offer Harry an opportunity to reconnect with military and childhood networks that had been distant during his residency in Montecito, California.
Security arrangements for Harry remain under review, though he has recently expressed greater comfort with returning to the UK, a change from his previous statements regarding the safety of his family. While Meghan is expected to continue managing her business remotely, possibly exploring a return to acting, Harry is likely to pursue select, high-profile engagements, such as his recent participation in a Masterclass series discussing grief, reportedly earning substantial fees for his appearances.
This renewed presence in the UK charity sector poses certain challenges within the Royal Family. The Sussexes are now “private citizens,” a designation reaffirmed by King Charles III last month, yet Harry’s continued involvement in royal-style philanthropy overlaps with territories traditionally associated with working royals. Prince William remains a prominent charitable figure with projects like the Earthshot Prize, though his profile is notably quieter compared to his father, King Charles III, who undertook over 500 engagements last year despite health challenges. William’s engagement count was significantly lower, highlighting the differing approaches between the brothers as Harry and Meghan seek to carve out their roles from outside the official royal framework.