Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s first joint trip to Sussex to greet royal fans included a view of a rare copy of the Declaration of Independence, but the real highlight of their trip thus far has been saying hello to a number of four-legged, furry fans.
On Wednesday, the couple was seen shaking hands with fans separately when Markle, 37, suddenly extended one arm to try and get Harry’s attention. Harry, who was busy chatting with other members of the crowd, didn’t notice until Markle rested one hand on his shoulder, barely containing her excitement as she brought him over to greet a black dog and its owners.
CHICHESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 3: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex strokes a golden retriever of a well-wisher as he arrives for an engagement at Edes House during an official visit to Sussex on October 3, 2018 in Chichester, England. The Duke and Duchess married on May 19th 2018 in Windsor and were conferred The Duke & Duchess of Sussex by The Queen. (Photo by Daniel Leal-Olivas – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
At another point during their visit to Edes House, West Street, Chichester, Harry, 34, was spotted kneeling down to greet a large Labrador in a sweet moment that sparked headlines.
The pair have proven their love for dogs in the past; Markle previously had two rescue pups living with her at her home in Toronto, one of whom, a beagle named Guy, relocated with her across the pond, and the other, Bogart, whom she gifted to friends.
And this past August, the newlyweds reportedly welcomed a pup of their own into their little family, a black labrador whose name is still unknown (previous reports had listed the dog’s name as Oz, but Markle dispelled that rumor Wednesday, telling reporters that “they [the media] keep getting her name wrong!”)
A source told People magazine that the dog has been joining Markle and Harry at their country getaway in the Cotswolds area and at Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace in London.
In an engagement interview in November 2017, the pair also revealed that Markle had won over Queen Elizabeth’s corgis almost immediately—while Harry had spent “the last 33 years being barked at.”
“This one walks in, absolutely nothing,” he said of his then-fiancee. Markle noted with a smile, “They were laying on my feet during tea!”
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