Royal fans greet Prince Harry and Meghan

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Hundreds of fans welcomed on Friday Prince Harry and his American actress fiancée Meghan Markle on their first royal visit as a couple since announcing their engagement this week.

Harry and Meghan, who broke the news of their forthcoming marriage on Monday, went on a walkabout in the central English city of Nottingham, spending more than 20 minutes meeting enthusiastic well-wishers.

Markle, dressed in a navy blue coat and pale beige skirt and carrying a maroon-and-blue handbag, set off arm-in-arm with her 33-year-old future husband but soon went to meet crowds across the road.

People holding flags and bouquets to meet the couple. /Reuters Photo

The 36-year-old laughed and smiled as she shook hands and doled out high-fives to those who had braved the icy conditions, many of whom had come with bouquets, gifts and Union Jack and American flags.

Markle's royal debut was well received, with the Daily Telegraph saying she "proved she is already well-versed in the working life of the Royal Family."

The two later visited an AIDS Day charity fair at a museum before being driven to a school taking part in a programme to combat youth violence where they attended a kickboxing class.

Prince Harry and Markle visit an AIDS Day charity fair at a museum. /AFP Photo

"On statistics, we are the worst area for a number of things, knife crime being one of them. It's good for him to come here because people can lose hope," said Cain Thomas, a 22-year-old mentor.

At the school Meghan and Harry also watched a performance with four actors in a short sketch which started with a couple arguing over whether to spread news of their relationship, which echoed the secrecy of their own 16-month romance.

In their engagement interview on Monday, Markle said she wanted to get to know the "different communities" which make up Britain.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. /AFP Photo

The couple will take a six-month tour of the country before getting married in May at Windsor Castle, the weekend residence of Harry's grandmother Queen Elizabeth II and the place where he was baptized.

Harry and Meghan had tried to keep their relationship private for as long as possible, and when news of their involvement first hit the headlines, he lashed out at the media.

In their engagement interview, he said media attention was "not easy for anybody".

Source(s): AFP