Prince HarryandMeghan Markletook a day trip west on Friday.
The royal parents-to-be headed to Bristol to see some of the rich cultural history of the city — including one of the oldest working theaters in the world — and to meet the locals and visit organizations supporting communities in need.
Despite the snow and chilly 33 degree temperature, the couple made sure to greet well-wishers gathered outside. “I hope everyone gets a nice cup of tea after this,” Meghan was heard saying as she shook hands with fans, thanking them for braving the weather.
Meghan Markle.Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock
Prince Harry.Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock
Meghan even ran into Hayley Jones, 19, from Melbourne, Australia, who is an exchange student doing literature and politics at Bristol University and was a fan in her pre-royalty days.
“It was very exciting,” Jones said of meeting the Duchess of Sussex. “I had followed her on The Tig. It was such a beautiful inspirational blog. I thought it was incredible and I wanted to let her know that it really impacted me. She said it was a passion project that she loved.”
Jones adds, “She’s such a beautiful soul.”
The couple began their day at the 18th-century Bristol Old Vic theater. Built in 1766 as a center for people of Bristol to congregate and watch entertainment, it is the oldest continuously-working theatre in the English-speaking world.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.REX/Shutterstock
Meghan Markle and Princess Diana.Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock
Meghan spoke to some young actors and actresses.
“It’s good that you have this,” she told them. “And what a beautiful space as well, it’s really special.”
“There’s so much of the emphasis in after school clubs on sport. Channeling the energy you have into the creative arts and theatre and all of that is equally as important,” she added. “Sport isn’t for everyone, just as theatre isn’t for everyone. You can know that there’s a place where you can find community and sort of explore self discovery and other things you might be thinking about.”
MARC GIDDINGS/AFP/Getty
Later, they plan to go to theEmpire Fighting Chance, which aims to fight the impact of deprivation on young people’s lives through boxing.
Each week, the charity works with around 250 to 300 kids from the ages of 8 to 21, who are failing at school and in danger of drifting into a life of unemployment or even crime. It also helps them turn their lives around.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.MARC GIDDINGS/AFP/Getty
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.MARC GIDDINGS/AFP/Getty
The outing caps off a busy week for Meghan, whohas completed her tourof her four new patronages, which wereannounced in early January. And it has been just over two weekssince their last away day together in Birkenhead, in north west England.
source: people.com
