Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Nottingham triumph lays bare growing split within the Royal Family

However, the formal proceedings inside were overshadowed by a vocal demonstration outside. Around 30 anti-monarchy protesters gathered with banners, leading South Wales Police to issue a dispersal order.

Tensions rose when one demonstrator refused to leave and was arrested in handcuffs, creating a tense backdrop for the monarch’s visit.

In stark contrast, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex experienced an overwhelmingly positive reaction in the East Midlands.

Returning to Nottingham, the site of their very first joint walkabout back in 2017, Harry and Meghan visited grassroots community organisations including the Community Recording Studio in St Ann’s and the Himmah Hub in Hyson Green.

Given the intense media scrutiny surrounding the couple in recent years, many observers expected a lukewarm or even hostile reaction.

Instead, around 150 well-wishers gathered outside, waving flags, presenting flowers, and cheering as the pair stepped out.

The warmth of the crowd caught critics by surprise, turning the trip into a genuine public relations success.

Interviews with members of the public along the barriers revealed a key reason behind the enthusiastic turnout.

A significant portion of the crowd were devoted fans of the TV legal drama Suits, in which Meghan starred before her marriage.

One fan told me: “She’s a really great actress and I hope she returns to acting.”

For these supporters, seeing her return to Nottingham was a moment of celebration, driven by pop-culture fandom as much as interest in the Royal Family itself.

Their excitement helped transform the walkabout into an upbeat homecoming.

Comparing the two visits underlines a remarkable contrast.

While the head of state faced republican opposition and a police disruption in Wales, the non-working Sussexes managed to pull off a triumphant public outing in Nottingham.

The events show that while the official institution faces growing public friction, individual members can still command a passionate and unexpected level of grassroots support.