Harry and Meghan’s cuddles over cookies: ‘Protective’ Prince wraps his arms around Duchess to ‘stress their closeness’ at Thanksgiving charity event with Lilibet and Archie after string of PR disasters

A ‘protective’ Prince Harry has wrapped his arms around his wife Meghan in a public show of unity as he returns to royal-style engagements after a series of self-inflicted PR disasters.

The couple shared a new photo of themselves embracing today at Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles, where they were preparing meals to be distributed to the poor and hungry on Thanksgiving.

“Harry is hugging Meghan to emphasize his closeness following the recent row,” a royal source told the Daily Mail today.

It follows a PR issue over their attendance at Kris Jenner’s 70th birthday, controversial accusations that the Duchess took dresses from her cover shoot without permission, and a row over negative headlines surrounding Meghan’s recent Harper’s Bazaar cover story.

The new photo, published by the Archewell foundation with the title ‘Show, do good’ and ‘We honor the season with service’, showed a grinning Harry behind his wife, wrapping his arms tightly around her.

Meghan, too, smiles broadly as she takes her husband’s hand and leans into him, surrounded by a huge team of Our Big Kitchen staff and volunteers.

Another royal insider told the Daily Mail today that the cozy display was ‘very telling’ given the events of recent weeks, and suggested the engagement was clearly inspired by the Prince and Princess of Wales’ more regular activities with their children George, Charlotte and Louis.

The source added: ‘Harry is clearly very protective of his wife. ‘They look very happy and close.’

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took Lilibet and Archie to bake cookies for those in need on Thanksgiving Eve

Another source said the choice of photos was a show of defiance and family, and a sign that they were putting down roots in the US as a couple.

‘These are the photos that say it all about the Sussexes: an all-American event celebrating Thanksgiving, but it’s a rather elaborate photo posted via social media after the visit. The expert said they wanted to control their image and avoid dealing directly with the US press.

‘One of the main reasons why Harry and Meghan lost the support of most of the British public was the sense that they wanted it anyway. They want to be treated like royalty, keeping their royal titles for themselves and their children, but they also want to avoid the attention and scrutiny that comes with it.

‘Thanksgiving is all about families coming together. Naturally, the children are there, but the public cannot see the faces of Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, sixth and seventh in line to the throne.

The Sussexes went to Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles with their children, who took part in making cookies. A smiling Meghan held the hand of Lilibet, who was wearing a tartan dress and had her hair in braids, and watched as Harry put the meal of minced meat, rice and peppers into a tupperware box.

The charity event comes after Harry and Meghan’s trip to Kris Jenner’s 70th birthday party at Jeff Bezos’ mansion backfired after photos of them partying inside were mysteriously deleted by the birthday girl and her daughter Kim Kardashian, making headlines around the world.

Meghan was revealed to be the cover star of Harper’s Bazaar’s latest issue last week, revealing how “deeply” Harry loves her and that he will always have her back.

But its writer caused a storm when he revealed that Meghan was crowned ‘Duchess of Sussex’ in an almost empty room and served a frothy cappuccino at the exclusive Beverly Hills Hotel.

And yesterday her spokeswoman angrily denied claims in the US press that she bought a green Galvanized dress worth £1,300 from a 2022 photoshoot with Variety, saying it was ‘highly defamatory’ to suggest she did so ‘without the full knowledge and approval of set stylists’.

The Duchess of Sussex volunteered at Our Big Kitchen in Los Angeles and was seen posing with Lili, Archie and other children, although their faces were deliberately not shown.

The Duchess of Sussex included a photo of herself with her 4-year-old daughter Lilibet in her Instagram post. Lili wore a plaid dress and braided her hair

Meghan captioned the post: ‘Show.’ ‘Do Good’ – motto of the Sussexes’ Archewell Foundation

Yesterday in Los Angeles, Meghan, 44, posted on Instagram a montage of herself and husband Harry, 41, grinning as they participated in a baking session.

The couple baked cookies, sliced ​​vegetables and assembled packaged meals to be delivered ahead of the American holiday.

They volunteered at Our Big Kitchen, a community-run kitchen that prepares meals for distribution to those experiencing food insecurity in Los Angeles.

Meghan captioned the post: ‘Show.’ ‘Do Good’ – motto of the Archewell Foundation in Sussex.

She could be seen helping shape cookies while wearing an Archewell Foundation apron, and she also posted a photo of volunteers chopping peppers.

A smiling Meghan took Lilibet’s hand and watched as Harry placed the meal of minced meat, rice and peppers into a tupperware box.

In another photo, Harry is seen shaping a cookie while wearing a black hat emblazoned with the kitchen’s logo.

Meghan also posted photos of dozens of meals ready to be distributed throughout the California city.

“As the donation season begins, Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, joined Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles (OBKLA) with the Archewell team to prepare and package meals for community members experiencing food insecurity,” the nonprofit Archewell said. he wrote.

‘OBKLA is a community-run, nonprofit kitchen that brings people together to prepare and deliver fresh, high-quality meals for Angelenos facing challenges.

‘The prepared meals will reach local schools, shelters, nursing homes and other community organizations serving our neighbors in need.

‘OBKLA provides more than 70,000 nutritious meals each year while also fostering care, connection and a sense of belonging.

‘Meals produced during our session were distributed to community-based organizations including Los Angeles Mercy Housing, Pico Union Project, and PATH.

‘Archewell Foundation is committed to putting compassion into action, serving and elevating communities locally and globally.

“As we enter the holiday season, we celebrate our employees every day to ensure no one is left behind and the needs of our neighbors are met,” the statement said.

The baking expedition took place on the same day Meghan was widely mocked for her Thanksgiving turkey.

The couple volunteered at Our Big Kitchen, a community-run kitchen in Los Angeles that prepares meals for distribution.

Meghan shared a short clip on Instagram of herself preparing a turkey ahead of the holidays.

In the video, the actor mixed various spices in a bowl and applied this mixture to the raw bird, preparing it for the oven.

Although she appeared to wash her hands after applying the seasoning, eagle-eyed viewers noticed she wasn’t wearing all her jewelery while handling the raw meat, raising concerns about her lack of kitchen hygiene.

‘I don’t know anyone who wears rings and bracelets when touching food, especially turkey. “Guaranteed to spread bacteria,” one horrified user commented on the video.

Another wrote: ‘So I love sparkly engagement rings as much as the next jewel hunter, but not when I’m cooking!’

‘Right? ‘Who wants nonsense stuck around their ring?’ someone else asked.

‘It’s so disgusting and this is basic food handling knowledge. Proof that you have no idea what you’re doing,’ declared another.