Harry and Meghan step out for a quiet pub lunch in the Cotswolds

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have made their first public appearance together in the UK since returning to Britain, spending a low-key afternoon at a traditional pub in the Cotswolds.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were photographed holding hands as they walked to The Falkland Arms in Great Tew, Oxfordshire, on Thursday, October 1.

Their visit came as the couple continue to face questions over their UK security arrangements, while also settling back into life in the area six years after leaving Britain.

A relaxed lunch at The Falkland Arms

Harry, 42, and Meghan, 45, appeared dressed casually for the outing. Both wore sunglasses, while Meghan carried a purse and wore an all-black outfit with white pumps.

Harry was photographed looking at the menu board outside the pub. He wore a Santa Barbara fire department baseball cap, a reference to the couple’s home in nearby Montecito, California.

The Falkland Arms is a historic country pub in the heart of Great Tew. The building dates to the 16th century, with traditional features including flagstone floors, oak beams and a large inglenook fireplace.

The pub’s setting also puts the Sussexes close to several places they have visited since returning to the Cotswolds. It is about a two-mile walk from Soho Farmhouse, where Meghan has been attending Pilates classes, while David and Victoria Beckham’s £12million home is nearby.

Inside, Meghan ordered a £18.25 portion of gluten-free beer-battered haddock and chips, served with mushy peas and tartare sauce.

Harry chose a £17.95 chicken, ham and leek pie accompanied by seasonal greens, creamy mashed potatoes and gravy.

The pub itself retains much of its traditional character. Its historic construction and interior have helped preserve the atmosphere of an old-fashioned English country inn, while its current menu includes classic pub dishes alongside seasonal food and gluten-free options.

A pub insider said the couple were treated in the same way as other customers.

“Everyone here gets the royal treatment — it doesn’t matter who you are.”

The insider added that Harry and Meghan simply behaved like local customers during their visit.

The children were at school

The couple’s children, Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, were at school while their parents went out for lunch.

The outing was the first time Harry and Meghan had been photographed together in Britain since their return. They arrived in the UK on August 26, having spent the previous six years living in the United States.

Meghan has also been spending time in the local area with friends. Last week, she visited The Falkland Arms with close friend Kelly McKee Zajfen and her infant son.

She was also recently seen about 16 miles away at The Three Horseshoes in Asthall with talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, Portia.

The Falkland Arms sits within the Great Tew Estate, an area that has particular significance for Harry and Meghan. The couple lived there before moving to the US.

The pub is named after Lucius Cary, the 2nd Viscount Falkland, who fought on the Royalist side during the English Civil War and died in 1643. His family continues to own the Great Tew Estate.

The Falkland Arms’ own history dates back centuries, and Historic England lists the building as a Grade II structure, describing it as a late-17th-century public house that may incorporate earlier elements.

A familiar local landmark

The pub has also received a mention in the television gangster series MobLand.

In the show, Pierce Brosnan’s character Conrad Harrigan refers to the pub, saying: “Change the venue to Falkland Arms, Great Tew. They serve a nice pint there.”

The establishment remains closely associated with traditional country-pub life. It has a beer garden, serves food and drinks, and offers accommodation. Its current operators describe it as a 16th-century Cotswolds pub with seven en-suite bedrooms.

A pub insider said Harry and Meghan appeared to enjoy the local atmosphere.

“We’re a proper traditional English pub with black Labradors, but our ale is served cold. We have folk nights and Sunday roasts. It’s a great local spot so I’m sure they enjoyed it.”

Harry and Meghan do own a black Labrador, although the dog was not with them for the lunch.

Security dispute remains in the background

The relaxed pub outing came against the backdrop of the couple’s continuing dispute over their security arrangements in Britain.

Harry and Meghan are no longer working members of the Royal Family but continue to seek armed police protection when in the UK, with the issue having remained a significant point of contention.

The matter was brought back into the spotlight last week after the couple complained about photographers outside Archie and Lilibet’s school.

Two men believed to be working for a European photo agency were seen in a white van. A spokesman for the Sussexes described their behaviour as “reckless” and “irresponsible.”

Harry and Meghan have not yet seen King Charles

The pub visit also comes during a period in which Harry and Meghan have been spending time around the Cotswolds while their children settle into school and Meghan continues working on her As Ever brand.

A friend of the couple said they had been enjoying exploring the area and visiting local pubs.

“Meghan has been spending a lot of time since their move to the UK making sure the children are settled and working on her As Ever brand,” the friend said.

“When they aren’t working, like most couples they like to spend time together.”

Harry and Meghan were last seen together publicly at a gala dinner in Victoria, Canada, on August 7.

Despite returning to the UK on August 26, they have yet to meet with Harry’s father, King Charles. They are understood to have spoken by phone.

The Sussexes’ spokesman declined to comment on their latest pub outing.