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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Russell Myers & Matthew Dresch

Royal fans chant 'Go on Harry!' as he leaves after telling crowds he 'has their backs'

A group of rowdy royal fans chanted 'Go on harry!' as he left an awards show with his wife this evening.

The crowd was clamouring for the royal couple, shouting 'Come on Harry' as their Land Rover pulled up outside Mansion House, London, following the Endeavour Fund Awards.

As the Duke of Sussex walked around the car to face the men, they let out a cheer and screamed 'Go on Harry'.

Harry, who has been made to give up his official patronages after deciding to move to Canada, is being allowed to retain his private links with organisations such as The Endeavour Fund, of which he is patron.

The charity supports service personnel keen to use challenges to help with their physical, psychological and social recovery and rehabilitation.

Speaking at the event, Harry said: "Some of you tonight have told me you have my back, well I'm also here to tell you I've always got yours."

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leaving the Endeavour Fund Awards (AFP via Getty Images)

Amid the cheers when they arrived at the event, there was one loud boo from an onlooker.

However it did not spoil the mood, with Meghan telling the audience at the awards that it was 'nice to be back'.

She told the audience: "It's very nice to be back.

"It's the third year I've had the incredible fortune of joining my husband here.

Meghan told the audience it was nice to be back (PA)
The couple looked closer than ever as they walked to their car (Tim Rooke/Shutterstock)

"It's just the most inspiring space. When we were watching the videos (of nominees) all the way in Canada we had the same moment of 'how are you going to choose?'

"Well, we've done our best."

She presented the 'celebrating excellence' award to Lee Spencer, a rower who serves with the Royal Marines for 24 years and lost his leg helping with a traffic accident.

Meghan, 38, who has not been seen in this country since she and Harry made the dramatic announcement that they were quitting public life in early January, stole the show this evening.

Harry told attendees he had their back (PA)
Meghan stole the show with her Victoria Beckham midi dress (Getty Images)

She upped the glamour stakes in heavy make up and a form fitting turquoise dress with blue suede heels and gold earring. Her hair was tied back in a pony tail. Staff would not reveal details of her outfit as is custom with other senior royals.

At a reception with backers, nominees and their families, Harry and Meghan chatted to Lee Spencer's wife Claire Spencer.

The 52-year-old complimented Meghan on how amazing she looked given that she had just had a baby.

She said afterward: "She said ‘oh yes, well he is ten months now and is into everything'."

Harry will continue to support The Endeavour Fund, despite stepping down as a senior royal (GC Images)
Meghan signed the visitor book in Mansion House (Getty Images)

Asked what she thought of Harry’s decision to step back as a working royal, she said: "I think he does an amazing job, as does she, and we should just let them live the life they want to live.

"I know what a difference Endeavour has made to my husband’s life since he lost a leg and I hold Harry personally responsible for that. Life is too short."

The awards ceremony was hosted by former Invictus Games medallist JJ Chalmers and will see four prizes awarded on the night: Recognising Achievement Award, Celebrating Excellence Award, Henry Worsley Award and The Community Impact Award, a new award for this year.

Meghan talks about simple things allowing you to "go back to your sense of strength"
Meghan and Harry will soon return to Canada (WireImage)

Meghan presented the Celebrating Excellence Award and Harry the Henry Worsley Award.

It is named in honour of career soldier and adventurer Henry Worsley, who tragically lost his life in January 2016 whilst attempting to cross the Antarctic landmass, solo and unsupported, in order to raise money for the Endeavour Fund.

Before the ceremony the couple attended a reception where they met the inspiring nominees, as well as endeavour participants and key supporters of the Endeavour Fund.

Tonight’s event is one of just a handful of engagements the couple are undertaking this weekend in the UK before returning to Canada to embark on their new life, ahead of their official departure on March 31.

Since its launch in 2012, the Endeavour Fund has supported 108 projects with over £3 million of grants that have directly assisted over 6,000 of those injured in service.

Meghan handed out an awards at the ceremony (WireImage)

Through their own fundraising, these endeavours have collectively raised over £2.5 million for others.

The Sussexes attended the previous year's ceremony last February, when the duchess was heavily pregnant with Archie.

It's the first time we've seen her in the UK since last year, and it will be one of the last as she and Harry prepare to start their new non-royal lives on March 31.

Meghan jetted in from their new home in Canada, opting to leave their nine-month-old son Archie behind to be cared for by a nanny and taxpayer funded bodyguards.

The couple were last seen together on an official engagement on January 7, when they visited Canada House in London to thank the nation for hosting them over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday period.

The Duchess was seen beaming as she left the show (Jeff Moore)

During their extended seven week holiday when they took part in no royal duties, they plotted to resign from royal life leading up to dropping their bombshell announcement.

The following day, sixth in line to the thorne Harry and former TV actress Meghan plunged the royal family into a period of turmoil when they announced they quit The Firm and become “financially independent”.

As Meghan fled Britain within 24 hours a summit of senior royals was later convened by the Queen at Sandringham to discuss the issue, with Harry sitting down for talks with his grandmother, father the Prince of Wales and brother the Duke of Cambridge.

The Sussexes prompted fury from the family by suggesting they planned to go and make millions in the corporate world while still cherry picking royal engagements and running their own foundation.

It was eventually announced they would give up royal duties, split their time between Canada and the UK, with the majority spent in North America, no longer be known as HRHs, and their lives as working royals would end on March 31.

In a devastating blow for their plans, the Queen banned them from marketing themselves as ‘Royal’ - forcing them to change their record breaking Sussex Royal Instagram page and alter plans they had made by spending thousands trandmarking their brand.

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