A pensioner who waits for hours to hand Prince Harry a bag of Haribo sweets on every visit he makes to Nottingham has defended the couple's decision to step back from royal duties.
Irene Hardman, of Ruddington, who is celebrating her 84th birthday today (Friday), is well-known for her particular way of greeting His Royal Highness on his trips to the city.
Irene met Prince Charles more than 16 years ago when he opened Age Concern in Shakespeare Street.
It was during this visit to the city that she handed him two bags of Haribo for William and Harry, who were youngsters at the time.
And it is a tradition that has stuck ever since, making sure she battles the crowd on every visit to hand the Prince his sweets.
On Meghan Markle's first visit to Nottingham, as part of their royal engagement, she waited more than four hours to give the Prince a bag of Haribo.
She also told his bride-to-be, 'look after him for us'.
The Duchess of Sussex was so overwhelmed with her generosity that she sent her a 'thank you' letter.
The 84-year-old said it was "unbelievable" to hear that the couple had planned to step back from their 'senior' Royal duties and spilt their time between the UK and Canada.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex said they intend to "work to become financially independent", while continuing to "fully support" the Queen.
The Prince has visited Nottingham on nine separate occasions and has been involved with organisations steering young people away from violence and crime, especially in St Ann's.
Mrs Hardman said: "It is unbelievable. But at the bottom of it all they just want to live ordinary lives.
"Every time they go out they are hounded by the press everywhere they go.
"I love them to bits and I sympathise with them.
"They can't live ordinary lives here, but I think going to Canada will do them good to get some peace and rest."
It has been reported that the Queen was not informed of Harry and Meghan's announcement, which was posted on their joint Instagram account.
Mrs Hardman, who hung Haribo bags of sweets in her windows during their Royal Wedding, added: "I don't agree with not consulting the Queen, that's not fair.
"She is 93 and she does not need it. She had all that with Prince Andrew and now Harry. Harry, bless him, should have let her know.
"You speak as you find and Meghan was delightful as well as Harry when I met her.
"I had a lovely letter from her. It is all so sad.
"I think when it has all calmed down Harry will get back into it.
"They have not gone forever. They will be back. It is not like they are locking themselves away in a log cabin.
"They are a young couple and need some privacy. People can't begrudge that."
Mrs Hardman remains optimistic that she will meet the couple again - and that a bag of Haribo awaits them on their next visit to Nottingham.
"I am 84 today, so he best come back," she laughed. "I will always give him Haribo. I have been giving them bags since they were six years old.
"Every time he has been to Nottingham I have met him. I am a royalist.
"We should be proud of what we have got in this country. In my opinion I wish them all the peace and happiness."
