Meghan Markle caused quite the furore last week when she took it up on herself to close her own car door as she arrived at a royal engagement.
Oh, the horror.
As trivial as it sounds, royal fans were up in arms that a Duchess should have to stoop so low as to closing her own car door, after all, that is the job of a security officer, no?
But today, Meghan potentially addressed the outcry by making sure she didn’t touch her own car door as she arrived at her and Harry’s first joint royal engagement in Sussex.
This is Harry and Meghan’s first visit to the home county, five months after Harry’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, gave them the titles of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on their wedding day on 19 May.
The pair were seen arriving at West Street in Chichester at around 10.45am and as the car pulled up, two minders jumped out of the front seats of the car and opened Harry and Meghan’s back doors for them. So far, so royal.
Harry and Meghan were then seen climbing out of the car and as all eyes fixated on if their hands then moved to shut the doors for themselves, royal fans were able to take a sigh of relief as their protection officers did the deed for them.
The pair immediately threw themselves into greeting the crowds who had been patiently waiting to meet the royal couple.
And as they began the walkabout, it became apparent that two canine friends had distracted them from their duties and made them come over all gooey-eyed.
Harry and Meghan's Sussex tour
Engagement 1 – Walkabout and Edes House
Harry and Meghan will first be seen in Sussex at 10.45am as they visit Chichester in West Sussex to greet members of the public.
Those that wish to meet them should head to West Street where Harry and Meghan will do a walkabout before heading to Edes House.
While at Edes House, Their Royal Highnesses will be shown the rare Sussex copy of the American Declaration of Independence, which is one of only two contemporary handwritten ceremonial manuscript copies. The other is situated in the National Archives in Washington D.C.
Engagement 2 – University of Chichester Tech Park
The next stop will be the Bognor Regis campus of the University of Chichester, where Harry and Meghan will be opening the Engineering and Digital Technology Park.
The Technology Park is designed to offer practical experiences alongside local industry.
There, they will meet staff at students at the university and only those invited to the event will be able to gain access.
Engagement 3 – Brighton walkabout and Royal Pavilion
Just after 2pm, Harry and Meghan will greet members of the public again as they arrive in Brighton.
The walkabout will take place at Pavilion Buildings before the Duke and Duchess make their way to the Royal Pavilion.
The Royal Pavilion was built by George, Prince of Wales, who later became the Prince Regent, in the mid 1780s. While there, Harry and Meghan will tour the Pavilion’s rooms and learn more about the building.
Engagement 4 – Survivors’ Network
Next on the agenda is the charity Survivors’ Network, which supports survivors of sexual violence and abuse in Sussex.
Here, they will talk to staff, volunteers and users of the service.
Engagement 5 – JOFF Youth Centre
As the Duke and Duchess then travel further East, their final engagement of the day will be a visit to JOFF Youth Centre in the coastal town of Peacehaven.
The community hub offers a range of positive activities, a ‘chill out’ area and music practice room.
Harry and Meghan will meet young people from youth groups across East Sussex and will listen to their plans for mental health and emotional wellbeing.
MORE: Meghan Markle wears a green leather skirt and silk shirt for her first official visit to Sussex