The Royal couple will be visiting a snowy Nottingham today (Friday the 1st of December) which marks their first official engagement.
Harry has become a regular visitor to the city over the last four years, meeting up with youth workers and young people helped by the Full Effect project.
The community group, which is backed by the Prince’s Royal Foundation, works in the St Ann’s area of the city to stop youth violence and crime through a variety of projects from rapping workshops, film production and sports programmes.
The couple’s visit is expected to benefit the local economy by hundreds of thousands of pounds with thousands of people attracted to the city centre hoping for a glimpse of Harry and Meghan.
Restaurants and bars are predicting a significant boost in trade while it is hoped many of the visitors will stay on in the city for Christmas shopping.
Tourism bosses say Harry and Meghan’s visit will showcase Nottingham on a global scale with the event being covered by television and media from around the world.
East Midlands Chamber chief executive Scott Knowles said: “It’s very difficult to quantify the actual benefit that comes with the feel-good factor of a visit such as this one by Prince Harry and his new fiancée Meghan.
“It will draw thousands of people out to catch a glimpse of the royal couple and many of those will make a special trip to Nottingham to see them, some possibly from a long way outside the area.
“This will increase footfall in the city and many among the crowds will combine the trip with Christmas shopping so retailers should see a boost in takings.”
The visit will be the eighth time in five years Prince Harry has been in the city on an official engagement – but his first as a groom-to-be.
He and his bride-to-be will be shown around part of the city’s Lace Market, walking from the National Justice Museum to Nottingham Contemporary – where a Terrence Higgins Trust World Aids Day charity fair is taking place – before a visit to a school, the Nottingham Academy.
Brendan Moffett, chief executive of Visit Nottinghamshire, said: “It showcases Nottingham to a global audience and it’s a prestigious honour that the world’s media will be descending on the city.
“The visit showcases Nottingham’s diverse cultural offerings, from the history of the National Justice Museum to the Nottingham Contemporary, which is known for its quality exhibitions showcasing current internationally-renowned artists.
“This visit shines a light on what Nottingham has to offer for visitors, and will hopefully encourage people to explore our colourful and exciting city.”
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