Harry is said to be 'absolutely crushed' after boos at Leicester rugby match sink Nottingham walkabout plans

Prince Harry abandoned plans for a public walkabout in Nottingham after advisers warned that a repeat of the booing he received at a rugby match could prove even more damaging to his image. The Duke of Sussex was audibly booed by sections of the crowd at Welford Road when he appeared on the big screen during Leicester's 38-31 win over Gloucester on Friday, with TNT commentator Nick Mullins confirming 'some boos there' on air. Harry was reportedly initially unaware of the hostile reaction, only finding out afterwards, and was left 'absolutely crushed'. He had attended the match with his cousin George McCorquodale, son of Princess Diana's sister Sarah.

Harry and Meghan had been due to visit Nottingham on 15 October, close to the tenth anniversary of their well-known 2017 engagement walkabout in the city.

The reported concern was that a 'nightmare' scenario of 'people turning up to boo — or nobody bothering to turn up at all' could unfold, with 'empty streets' considered more humiliating than a hostile crowd.

Harry, 42, returned to the UK with Meghan and their children in August, reportedly to be closer to King Charles, who is battling cancer, but the Sussexes are not expected to join the royals at Sandringham for Christmas.