Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Hug Kids While Celebrating International Women’s Day

Credit: Samir Hussein/WireImage.com

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Hug Kids While Celebrating International Women’s Day

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle aren’t just celebrating their upcoming nuptials. The couple marked International Women’s Day on Thursday, March 8, by traveling to Birmingham, England, to meet with young female students pursuing careers in science, math, technology and engineering.

At the royal engagement, which took place at Millennium Point, the Harry, 33, and the former Suits actress, 36, spent time shaking hands with and hugging young admirers.

Last month, at a forum for The Royal Foundation, newly-baptized Markle revealed that she wants to use her upcoming position to promote women’s empowerment and referenced the #MeToo movement.

“There’s no better time than to really continue to shine a light on women feeling empowered,” Harry’s future wife told the audience.  “And people really helping to support them, men included in that. It makes such a tremendous difference.”

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Royally Cute

Prince Harry greeted well-wishers in the rain. Inside, he and Markle met a women-in-STEM group called the Stemettes.

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Fanning Out

Markle was regal in a navy wool-blend coat from J. Crew that retails for $300. Not surprisingly, it has sold out! She accessorized her chic look with a saddle hand bag by Altuzarra and Manolo Blahnik pumps. 

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Meghan-mania!

Markle — who will marry Harry on May 19 — chatted with the crowd.

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Hello There!

Prince Harry worked the crowd.

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All Eyes on Meghan

According to The Telegraph, Prince Harry and Markle left with a goody bag that read: “I am not just a bag, I am a Stemettes bag.”

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So in Love

Just one day earlier, on March 6, Markle was baptized at the Chapel Royal at St. James’ Palace 

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Down to Earth

Markle crouched down to get on the same level as two pint-size fans.

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Beaming Bride-to-Be

Prince Harry and Markle announced earlier this month that they have invited thousands of members of the public to their wedding.

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Worth the Wait

Irene Gould, 82, who came with her sister June Dickinson, 78, told The Telegraph: “We were just so pleased to meet them, and how beautiful Meghan is. We thanked Harry for coming to see us and wished them all eat best for their marriage.”

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Rain, Rain, Go Away!

The couple braved cold, damp conditions to engage with onlookers. 

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What a Touching Picture

The pair shared a sweet moment before heading into the event where they gave prizes to winners of a speech-writing competition about inspiring women.

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So Happy Together

After he wedding to Prince Harry, Markle will become the Royal Foundation’s fourth patron. The Royal Foundation is Harry, Prince William and Duchess Kate’s primary charity vehicle.

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Very Impressed

Harry and Meghan ogled pieces of technology pianos most of out of bananas, according to U.K. outlet The Mirror. 

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Dorking Out!

The Evening Standard reports that Markle called coding “really cool.”