Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are totally back in the UK and making the royal rounds for what is believed to be their final appearances as senior members of the royal family, and they're making sure they do it all in style.
The happy couple wowed attendees and onlookers when they showed up at the Mountbatten Music Festival in extremely complementary red ensembles. Entertainment Tonight explained, "The festival brings together world-class musicians, composers and conductors of the Massed Bands of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines. This year, the performance will mark the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and the 80th anniversary of the formation of Britain’s Commandos."
This was the pair's second joint event since their now-infamous January announcement that they were stepping back from their roles in the royal family. They have each also attended a whole slew of events separately in recent days, and they are expected to attend the Commonwealth Day celebrations alongside the rest of the family.
Harry and Meghan were all smiles as they were photographed while attending the festival. Their Instagram noted, "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex joined veterans, serving members, world-class musicians, composers and conductors of the Massed Bands of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines for the annual Mountbatten Festival of Music — an event to help raise funds on behalf of the @RoyalMarines Charity."
They also shared: "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended the annual Mountbatten Festival of Music at the Royal Albert Hall — marking the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and the 80th anniversary of the formation of Britain’s Commandos.
"The Duke, who is Captain General @RoyalMarines joined veterans, serving members, world-class musicians, composers and conductors of the Massed Bands of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines to help raise funds on behalf of the @RoyalMarines Charity."
Last week, Harry and Meghan were also at the Endeavor Fund Awards together, which marked their third joint appearance at the event:
"The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended the annual Endeavour Fund Awards, which celebrates the achievements of those veterans injured in service who have taken part in remarkable sporting and adventure challenges over the last year.
"By choosing to take on what seems impossible, these men and women not only set goals for themselves but have also inspired millions of people around the world."
They continued, "These annual awards bring together The Duke and The Duchess alongside wounded, injured and sick Service personnel and veterans as well as their families, friends and supporters of the military community."
Harry also spoke at the event: "The Endeavour Fund came from seeing the gaping hole that can be left after taking off that uniform.
"The power that sport and adventurous challenge plays in recovery, yes, but most of all, the chance to be part of a team again while attempting to achieve unthinkable challenges, as if being shot or blown up wasn’t enough — you guys continue to impress, inspire and challenge what it means to have a life-changing injury."
The two definitely have a full plate! The following day, Harry was on hand to open The Silverstone Experience, a "a brand-new immersive museum that tells the story of the past, present and future of British motor racing."
Harry was joined by Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton MBE, and the pair "viewed the various components of the museum, met with volunteers, and chatted with the next generation of engineers and racing drivers."
Meanwhile, Meghan had her own work to do as the royal patron of the National Theatre. She visited the Immersive Storytelling Studio in London, where "where emerging technology like Virtual Reality is being used to develop new forms of emotive storytelling."
In the photos shared to their Instagram account, the two noted, "The Duchess is pictured here with Nubiya Brandon and her hologram, featured in the National’s exhibition ‘All Kinds of Limbo’, which is currently being presented at the Tate Modern."
And yesterday, Meghan visited the Robert Clack School in Dagenham to celebrate International Women's Day with the students there. The students were clearly thrilled to have the duchess visit, and she and Harry shared a sneak peek of her time there that was equally exciting for the pair's online followers.
On Instagram, the two wrote, "50 years ago, women in Britain won the right to equal pay. That monumental moment began with one courageous and inspiring group of women in a factory in Dagenham, England. In 1968, facing a pay settlement that declared them less skilled than men, the sewing machinists of the Ford Motor Company walked out on strike.
"In the face of great pressure, they stood firm, and two years later the UK Parliament was forced to pass the Equal Pay Act, protecting and supporting working women ever since."
"To mark International Women’s Day, The Duchess of Sussex visited Dagenham to meet with Geraldine Dear, one of the strikers, and spend time with students at the Robert Clack Upper School to meet the town’s next generation of female role models, and talk to young women and men about the women who inspire them."
Meghan also said, "Being in Dagenham is incredibly profound. Because as you can see with Geraldine and the other women who had the strength to really stand up for something that they knew needed to be done. This is the best example of no matter how small you might feel, how low you may feel on the ladder or the totem pole, no matter what colour you are, no matter what gender you are, you have a voice, and you certainly have the right to speak up for what is right."
Meghan also made a point to highlight the role that boys and men play in International Women's Day, too: "The Duchess asked a young student to come on stage and share his perspective on the importance of the day, and whilst much attention has been focused on his initial comment, what he shared beyond that was compelling and true."
Harry and Meghan's appearances have been met with a lot of enthusiasm from the British public and even the press. They also appear to be loving being back in the swing of things. Coverage of Commonwealth Day will likely highlight the bonds that they share with the royal family, and where it all might go from here.
