Tuesday 6 September 2022 07:26 PM Germans flood social media with selfies with Harry and Meghan taken during ... trends now
Hundreds of royal fans stood for over two hours in the stifling heat hoping to take a selfie with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Düsseldorf town hall on Tuesday.
Hordes of Germans and Brits queued alongside metal barriers while waving Union Jacks as the couple arrived for the Invictus Games 2023 One Year To Go event.
Most seemed genuine fans as they donned paper masks of the Queen and royal regalia as they attempted to usher the couple over for a quick picture and a chat.
Others admitted they were attracted by the circus that follows the pair, with one young woman saying she found them 'rude to the Royal Family' but wanted to see them because they are 'like soap stars'.
Among the crowds were former serviceman Bob Clark and his wife Lily who were dressed for the occasion. Clark wore an ermine robe, crown and a mask of the Queen covering his face.
His wife clutched a bag celebrating the marriage of Harry and Meghan and wore a Union Jack coat and hat.
The couple travelled from their home in Duisburg to show their support for the royal family - even though California-based Harry and Meghan are no longer working members of the so called 'firm' after stepping down as senior royals in January 2020, in a move dubbed Megxit.
Bob said: 'We are both huge fans of the Queen and the royal family. It will be great to see Harry and Meghan.'
The Duchess of Sussex takes selfies with Invictus athletes during the Invictus Games Dusseldorf 2023 - One Year To Go events
Meghan's selfie with an Invictus athlete in Dusseldorf on Tuesday
Photos of Meghan taken by a fan as she met with hundreds of people following a press conference with Harry at Dusseldorf town hall
A young woman takes a selfie with Meghan on her mobile phone outside Dusseldorf town hall on Tuesday
Prince Harry is full of joy as he strokes a small dog while taking selfies with fans outside Dusseldorf town hall on Tuesday
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, at the Invictus Games one year to go event in Dusseldorf
Selfie respect: The Prince grinned for a picture with a member of the public today in Germany
Meghan poses for a selfie outside Dusseldorf town hall on Tuesday, sporting a low bun hairstyle and simple diamond studded earrings
Harry grins as he talks to a group of young female fans outside Dusseldorf town hall in Germany on Tuesday
Meghan holds some flowers she was gifted as she chatted to fans outside Dusseldorf town hall as they filmed on their phones and asked for selfies
Meghan shakes hand with a young woman as she chatted to fans outside Dusseldorf town hall on Tuesday
Meghan waves to fans as they wield their mobile phones to record the moment they met with the Duchess outside Dusseldorf town hall on Tuesday
More than 500 people stood behind metal barriers outside the entrance to the town hall.
Some had taken their place at the front three hours before the planned arrival of the couple.
Elisa, 24, said: 'I know they have been rude about the royal family, but I have read so much about them I wanted to see them myself.'
And her friend Melina, 26, said: 'They have become a soap opera, but I find anything about the Queen and royal family interesting.'
Locally-hired security teams were out in force around the red carpet leading to the town hall. Only two uniformed police officers were visible prior to the couple's arrival as they stood at the edge of the crowd.
Meghan, wearing a £245 cream knitted vest from trendy LA label Anine Bing and matching trousers, and Harry, in a grey suit, flew into Germany this morning where police closed junctions and set up miles of roadblocks so they and their entourage, including a personal doctor, could avoid traffic jams.
The pair are meeting officials and potential competitors in the city on Tuesday. They will be taken by boat along the Rhine River from the reception to the Merkur Spiel-Arena for a press conference at which Harry will deliver remarks. The £13million MS Rhein Galaxie was seen docked along the river on Tuesday morning.
Harry and Meghan clasp their hands together in delight as the crowds wait to meet them
The pair looked to be listening incredibly intently as the public tried to talk to them
Have to hand it to him: Harry extends his fingers in greeting to an unseen friendly crowd face
More than 500 people stood behind metal barriers outside the entrance to the town hall. Some had taken their place at the front three hours before the planned arrival of the couple.
Elisa, 24, said: 'I know they have been rude about the royal family, but I have read so much about them I wanted to see them myself.' And her friend Melina, 26, said: 'They have become a soap opera, but I find anything g about the Queen and royal family interesting.'
City officials also rolled out the red carpet - and even hoovered it - but insist the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex is private and they will be protected by their own security team with the couple footing the bill.
But German police said they were only involved primarily on crowd control in the market square where Harry, 37, and Meghan, 41, started their visit at around 12.30pm.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, at the Invictus Games one year to go event in Dusseldorf
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrives on the red carpet to be welcomed by the Mayor during the Invictus Games Dusseldorf 2023
The couple waved to the crowd, who were calling their names after hours waiting for them
Harry spoke animatedly at the start of the event in Dusseldorf - exactly one year before the 2023 Invictus Games
The Sussexes are in Europe to officially launch the 2023 Invictus Games but are staying in the UK
Prince Harry and Meghan are promoting the One Year To Go events for Invictus
Prince Harry visits the city as ambassador for the Invictus Games, a week-long games for active servicemen and veterans who are ill
The 2023 edition of the Invictus Games, an international multi-sport event for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women, both serving and veterans, will take place from September 9 to 16, 2023
Alfred Marstaller, Brigadier general, Lord Mayor of the State Capital, Dr. Stephan Keller, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Parliamentary secretary with the Ministry of Defence, Siemtje Muller and Markus Laubenthal, General lieutenant, pose at the town hall
A police source said temporary roadblocks would be set up along the route from Dusseldorf airport to the city centre to allow the convoy of vehicles transporting Harry and Meghan to avoid being stuck in traffic on the three mile journey.
As the visit is private there was no police motorcycle outriders and accompanying police cars would not turn on their flashing blue lights. But the source said a vehicle carrying a doctor and medical equipment will have been part of the convoy for the three-mile drive into the city.
Harry wore a grey suit with an open neck shirt and put a comforting hand around his wife's back as they walked towards an Invictus banner outside the town hall entrance.
Meghan beamed as a woman in the crowd shouted out 'you're beautiful' and scores of people cheered.
Others shouted out the Prince's name and he seemed to find the adulation amusing.
Harry looked relaxed as he waved and smiled at the crowd.
Their arrival had been delayed by 10 minutes due to the volume of traffic coming into the city centre.
A team of seven burly bodyguards stood behind the couple as they smiled and posed for pictures.
Former US secret service agent Christopher Sanchez, now the couple's personal bodyguard, stood watch over the couple.
He had been by their side during the Invictus Games in The Hague earlier this year.
They were met in the red carpet by Düsseldorf mayor Stephan Keller and a senior member of the German military.
The couple held hands throughout the red carpet walk this afternoon
Meghan beamed as a woman in the crowd shouted out 'you're beautiful' and scores of people cheered.
Harry is meeting officials and people who will take part in Invictus next year
The couple were introduced to a military mascot called Loki. Harry and Meghan both bent down to pat the dog
Harry would later give a speech inside the hall, watched by his wife
Harry and Meghan stopped by a large banner promoting the Invictus Games- the reason for their visit to Düsseldorf.
The city hosts the sports event for disabled military veterans next September.
Both Harry and Meghan seemed relaxed by all the media attention.
When photographers called for them to turn their way they willingly obliged.
As they stood posing for mostly German media Harry held his wife's hand.
The couple were introduced to a bulldog wearing the Invictus logo and stood patiently by the banner. The couple were introduced to a military mascot called Loki. Harry bent down to pat the dog while Meghan also showed an interest.
After a reception inside the town hall the couple planned to meet locals who stood in the blazing sunshine for several hours. One woman clutched her newborn baby while several young girls had flowers they hoped to present to Meghan.
A grinning Meghan Markle leaves Windsor on Day 2 of their pseudo-royal tour of the UK and Europe as the Sussexes head to Germany
Harry was also smiling as they left, protected by two former Met Police officers now working for the Sussexes, who are in Dusselfdorf
Hundreds of royal fans stood for over two hours in the stifling heat hoping to see Harry and Meghan when they arrive at Düsseldorf town hall. Among them was former serviceman Bob Clark and his wife Lily who were decked out in royal regalia.
City officials remove plastic film from the red carpet ahead of the Sussexes' arrival
A worker vacuums the steps before the Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive
Huge crowds turned out into the main square at Dusseldorf as they wait for the couple, who were late
Harry and Meghan will emerge from their car onto a red carpet and walk across the market square to the entrance to the town hall which dates back to the 16th century (prepared interior pictured)
Security steps up in Dusseldorf ahead of the Sussexes' visit
On Thursday the couple will attend the WellChild Awards, which celebrate the bravery of young people from across the UK who have coped with a serious illness or disability.
The red carpet is being rolled out for the Sussexes on their first ever visit to Germany - even though their trip is as private citizens. The couple will be given the same sort of welcome afforded to visiting heads of state when they arrive for a reception and book signing at the town hall in Dusseldorf today.
Last minute preparations included red and white flowers – the official colours of the city – being
