Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have an issue with a term that's common in royal households. The couple, who recently returned to the UK, made their first joint public engagement earlier this month, appearing in Nottingham, where they reunited with various charitable organizations.
© Getty ImagesAs reported by The Times, Harry and Meghan hate the phrase "working royals." A friend of the couple told the outlet that they find the phrase "lazy."
"He hates it, she hates it,” they continued. “They are not ‘working’ for the institution, but they are members of the royal family, and they work. Their days are built around their family life and their work. She’s running a business seven days a week.”
© AFP via Getty ImagesThe friend added that the Sussexes also dislike being referred to as "former royals."
“Things like Nottingham aren’t done in the name of the institution or the crown, but Harry is the son of the King, he is still a member of the royal family, he’s just not a member of the institution," they said. "It’s misleading to call them ‘former royals’. It has an impact on how they’re perceived and the way people talk about them.”
More details about Harry and Meghan's joint official outing
© Justin Goff PhotosMeghan and Harry's first joint appearance was an emotional one, and a callback to 2017. They visited Nottingham, the place where they performed their first walkabout following the announcement of their engagement.
“Everyone came away feeling really positive and genuinely thrilled by the love and support they received," said a spokesperson to PEOPLE.
Through their day in Nottingham, the couple visited numerous charities, including The Community Recording Studio, which provides young people access to music and recording facilities, and Hubb Community Kitchen, a group that became one of Meghan's first projects as a member of the royal family.
“It’s been too long!” said Meghan after reuniting with some of the women.
It's been two weeks since the family's return to the UK, with their kids, Archie and Lilibet, settling into their new routines. The Nottingham outing marked their first joint outing and suggests the two will continue to work in the UK's public sphere.
© MeghanMarkle/Instagram
