Royals

Royal Winter Date! Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Step Out for Their First Snowy Outing Together

The outing caps off a busy week for Meghan, who has completed her tour of her four new patronages

Published on February 1, 2019 06:56 AM

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took a day trip west on Friday.

The royal parents-to-be headed to Bristol to see some of the rich cultural history of the city — including one of the oldest working theaters in the world — and to meet the locals and visit organizations supporting communities in need.

Meghan and Harry arrived in Bristol — about 120 miles west of London — as snow flurries fell. The Duchess of Sussex wore a dress by Oscar de la Renta under a black coat by William Vintage paired with olive green. She also carried a matching green clutch. After pulling off a top knot on Thursday, she let her hair fall loose in romantic waves.

Despite the snow and chilly 33 degree temperature, the couple made sure to greet well-wishers gathered outside. "I hope everyone gets a nice cup of tea after this," Meghan was heard saying as she shook hands with fans, thanking them for braving the weather.

Prince Harry and Meghan Duchess of Sussex visit to Bristol, UK - 01 Feb 2019 — Meghan Markle. Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock

Meghan even ran into Hayley Jones, 19, from Melbourne, Australia, who is an exchange student doing literature and politics at Bristol University and was a fan in her pre-royalty days.

"It was very exciting," Jones said of meeting the Duchess of Sussex. "I had followed her on The Tig. It was such a beautiful inspirational blog. I thought it was incredible and I wanted to let her know that it really impacted me. She said it was a passion project that she loved."

Jones adds, "She's such a beautiful soul."

The couple began their day at the 18th-century Bristol Old Vic theater. Built in 1766 as a center for people of Bristol to congregate and watch entertainment, it is the oldest continuously-working theatre in the English-speaking world.

Former actress Meghan, 37, and Harry, 34, were given a tour of the recently-renovated theater, and told about its history and links to the local community. They also watched a workshop attended by local school children as part of the theater's community outreach program.

Meghan spoke to some young actors and actresses.

"It's good that you have this," she told them. "And what a beautiful space as well, it's really special."

"There's so much of the emphasis in after school clubs on sport. Channeling the energy you have into the creative arts and theatre and all of that is equally as important," she added. "Sport isn't for everyone, just as theatre isn't for everyone. You can know that there's a place where you can find community and sort of explore self discovery and other things you might be thinking about."

Harry added of their interest in drama, "It's more than a hobby isn't it? It runs in your blood."

BRITAIN-ROYALS — MARC GIDDINGS/AFP/Getty

Later, they plan to go to the Empire Fighting Chance, which aims to fight the impact of deprivation on young people's lives through boxing.

Each week, the charity works with around 250 to 300 kids from the ages of 8 to 21, who are failing at school and in danger of drifting into a life of unemployment or even crime. It also helps them turn their lives around.

Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

The outing caps off a busy week for Meghan, who has completed her tour of her four new patronages, which were announced in early January. And it has been just over two weeks since their last away day together in Birkenhead, in north west England.