Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. After Prince Louis’ christening and a family event honoring the Royal Air Force this week, the Duke and the Duchess of Sussex boarded a private plane to Ireland, marking their first official foreign trip together as a married couple.
The two-day excursion to the Emerald Isle proved to be rather eventful for the couple, who gracefully navigated meet-and-greets with fans from all over Ireland. The trip was marked with several adorable encounters, one with a young, touchy fan and another involving two furry friends.
The Knot rounds up the five cutest moments from the couple’s time in Ireland below.
They Played With Puppies
While meeting with President Higgins and his wife, Sabina Coyne, the couple was also greeted by two additional members of the family—Bernese mountain dogs Brod and Sioda. The puppies respectfully welcomed their guests into the home at the official residence, while both Markle and Prince Harry seemed exceptionally happy to greet their regal, fluffy hosts.
DUBLIN, IRELAND – JULY 11: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex meet President Michael Higgins and his wife Sabina Coyne at Aras an Uachtarain during their visit to Ireland on July 11, 2018 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Andrew Parsons – Pool/Getty Images)
They Played With Kids
The Duke and the Duchess of Sussex seemed unequivocally enthusiastic about meeting their fans at Dublin’s famed Croke Park, which is the home of the Gaelic Athletic Association, the largest athletic organization in Ireland. During the outdoor stroll, the pair shared a particularly cute encounter with 3-year-old Walter Cullen, who in an attempt to claim Markle’s attention, stroked her wavy brunette tresses. Harry then adorably stepped in to jokingly chide the little one.
Prince Harry Touched His Wedding Band
Call it instinct. The Duke and the Duchess stopped by the office of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to kick off their two-day trip in Dublin, where they both took turns signing the office guest book. Harry was snapped watching his wife lean down to sign the book as he twirled his wedding band with one hand.
DUBLIN, IRELAND – JULY 10: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex sign the visitors book in the office of the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, at the start of a two-day visit to Dublin on July 10, 2018 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne – Pool/Getty Images)
Prince Harry Pulled Out the Chair for Meghan
Chivalry is alive and well. The dashing royal, 33, was photographed gallantly pulling out a chair for his wife to take a seat while the two met with several tech-savvy faces at the Dogpatch startup hub on Wednesday.
DUBLIN, IRELAND – JULY 11: Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visit the Dogpatch startup hub in Dublin on the final day of their trip to Ireland on July 11, 2018 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Jimmy Rainford – Pool/Getty Images)
They Held Hands… Throughout the Trip
If there’s one part of breaking royal protocol that Markle and Harry are rather familiar with at this point, it’s shyly holding hands everywhere they go. While it’s an unspoken etiquette rule in the British Royal Family to refrain from touching especially during official appearances, the pair seemingly cannot stop expressing their love for each other with physical touch.
The couple was especially adorable during a glamorous reception at the home of the British Ambassador Robin Barnett on the first night of their visit.
DUBLIN, IRELAND – JULY 10: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend a reception at Glencairn, the residence of Robin Barnett, the British Ambassador to Ireland during day one of their visit to Ireland on July 10, 2018 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Geoff Pugh – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
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