Prince William and Kate back on duty for first time since Harry and Meghan bombshell
Written by News on 16/01/2020
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have stepped out for their first official engagement since Harry and Meghan announced they wanted to step back as senior royals.
There were cheers for Prince William and Kate as several hundred well-wishers welcomed them at Centenary Square in Bradford.
William had begun the week by joining the Queen, Prince Charles and Prince Harry for crisis talks over his brother’s wish to retreat from the spotlight.
The plans in West Yorkshire on Wednesday were far less complicated, as the couple first met students and employers at city hall.
One young man told William he wanted to work in the video games industry, prompting the duke to ask: “What games do you play?”
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The couple also visited a number of projects promoting cohesion in the city, and even had a go at making milkshakes at the MyLahores restaurant in the city – where they met boxer Amir Khan.
The restaurant does charity work to support the community.
It is the first public appearance of 2020 for the couple, who have kept a low profile since Harry and Meghan’s bombshell announcement last week.
The Queen has since given the Duke and Duchess of Sussex approval to step back as from the royal front line and begin their “new life” as an “independent” family – although the details are still being worked out.
Harry and Meghan plan to split their time between Canada and the UK.
Meghan did not return to the UK for Monday’s summit and is still in Vancouver on Canada’s west coast, where she has been pictured with members of a women’s centre.
The duchess’s visit came amid reports that her father may testify against her in her legal battle with The Mail on Sunday.
Court documents reveal that he forms a part of the newspaper’s defence that it was justified in its decision to publish a handwritten note Meghan wrote to her father in August 2018.
The Daily Mail reports that Mr Markle would be willing to face his daughter in court if the case goes to trial.
Claims of another family feud were shut down a few days ago when William and Harry released a joint statement denying reports about a breakdown in their relationship.
(c) Sky News 2020: Prince William and Kate back on duty for first time since Harry and Meghan bombshell
