Brighton welcomes the Sussexes

You might have heard already – but the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are visiting Brighton this afternoon as part of their first visit to the county.

Prince Harry and Meghan have already arrived in Chichester, and are due to come to Brighton in the early afternoon, first greeting crowds outside the Royal Pavilion before being greeted by Mayor Dee Simson and touring the palace, in particular its newly restored saloon.

They will then visit Survivor’s Network, which is based in the Pavilion buildings next door, a charity which helps survivors of sexual violence and abuse.

Harry and Meghan are due to talk to service users, volunteers and staff there, before leaving for their final stop in Peacehaven, where they will be visiting the JOFF youth centre.

The exact itinerary is still closely guarded, but Brighton and Hove City Council says the city centre is expected to be busy from midday to 4pm. It’s also urged royal watchers to bring their flags and “biggest cheers”.

North Street will be open through the day, although the East Street taxi rank will be closed and bike racks and bins in the area temporarily removed for security reasons. The Pavilion itself will also close for the day.

Check back here through the day for more on how the trip unfolds, including pictures and video and reaction from social media.

👋 Hello Chichester! #RoyalVisitSussex pic.twitter.com/uorT7xhaLT

— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) October 3, 2018

Crowds beginning to gather by the India Gate #RoyalVisitSussex pic.twitter.com/RCYxiOspIk

— Jo Wadsworth (@BrightonNewsJo) October 3, 2018

And police gearing up for the big arrival too #RoyalVisitSussex pic.twitter.com/ZnGYShxd12

— Jo Wadsworth (@BrightonNewsJo) October 3, 2018

More crowds appearing in frint of thr Pavilion itself #RoyalVisitSussex pic.twitter.com/5j2jMpHflT

— Jo Wadsworth (@BrightonNewsJo) October 3, 2018

Debbie Coveney has come from Bournemouth – this is why she's so keen to see Meghan #RoyalVisitSussex pic.twitter.com/9G47mU51wl

— Jo Wadsworth (@BrightonNewsJo) October 3, 2018

And the obligatory photo of the photographers #RoyalVisitSussex pic.twitter.com/QHHhZq3ogG

— Jo Wadsworth (@BrightonNewsJo) October 3, 2018

Inca snail wonders why so many people have come to see her today pic.twitter.com/P6e8Xpj43l

— Jo Wadsworth (@BrightonNewsJo) October 3, 2018

Are they here yet? #RoyalVisitSussex pic.twitter.com/oWN8Eon98G

— Jo Wadsworth (@BrightonNewsJo) October 3, 2018

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex receive a warm welcome in Chichester this morning – the start of a series of visits around Sussex today!

Follow along at @KensingtonRoyal #RoyalVisitSussex pic.twitter.com/2DMygaTHd9

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) October 3, 2018

The civic welcome arrives #RoyalVisitSussex pic.twitter.com/dqvey94shE

— Jo Wadsworth (@BrightonNewsJo) October 3, 2018

#RoyalVisitSussex There's a clamour of children outside the India Gate – I think the welcome party from Queen's Park Primary has arrived

— Jo Wadsworth (@BrightonNewsJo) October 3, 2018

Just missed catching it on camera but one of these excited children was just flossing #RoyalVisitSussex pic.twitter.com/UvunHSdb6u

— Jo Wadsworth (@BrightonNewsJo) October 3, 2018

Flossing for #HarryAndMeghan! pic.twitter.com/bKACzO3V6u

— Jo Wadsworth (@BrightonNewsJo) October 3, 2018

Just been told it's year 4 classes grasshoppers and spiders from Queen's Park Primary

— Jo Wadsworth (@BrightonNewsJo) October 3, 2018

A young boy on someone's shoulders waving a massive bunch of flowers – sorry for terrible pic! pic.twitter.com/js9AnIo5oF

— Jo Wadsworth (@BrightonNewsJo) October 3, 2018

Chants of "Harry, Harry, Harry" – and lots of faces pressed against window panes pic.twitter.com/PrGerldIWJ

— Jo Wadsworth (@BrightonNewsJo) October 3, 2018

A sea of smartphones held aloft to catch a royal snap #RoyalVisitSussex pic.twitter.com/JDI7x7y4nv

— Jo Wadsworth (@BrightonNewsJo) October 3, 2018

#RoyalVisitSussex pic.twitter.com/gNSsikRuMB

— Jo Wadsworth (@BrightonNewsJo) October 3, 2018

And despite strict instructions not to – a couple of the kids couldn't resist a royal floss pic.twitter.com/4CvOBAWZDx

— Jo Wadsworth (@BrightonNewsJo) October 3, 2018

And the crowds still waiting for the Sussexes to come out #RoyalVisitSussex pic.twitter.com/TJFugFAsUs

— Jo Wadsworth (@BrightonNewsJo) October 3, 2018

One last before I head back – this is the Duke and Duchess arriving #RoyalVisitSussex pic.twitter.com/enesozwheF

— Jo Wadsworth (@BrightonNewsJo) October 3, 2018