Meghan Markle and Prince Harry break cover for first time since handing back keys to King Charles

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have since been pictured on a public outing in Santa Barbara.

Meghan and Harry looked happy as they held hands while leaving an office building on Friday.

The couple were wearing sunglasses and hats on a sunny day in California.

Prince Harry lost a pivotal Royal Family role after King Charles evicted the Duke and Duchess of Sussex from the Windsor property.

The move out of Frogmore is particularly poignant as the Sussexes no longer have a residence in the UK.

And as a result, the Duke of Sussex will no longer be able to act as a counsellor of state.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told The Sun: "Losing their UK home without a replacement is a huge deal.

"The most important aspect as far as Harry is concerned is that it means he can no longer act as a counsellor of state.

"That’s hugely important because in theory he had the right, in the event of the king being incapacitated, to do this.

"Although he is no longer a working royal he still had this right - and by not having a UK residence he has now thrown this opportunity away."

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were given use of the five-bedroom Frogmore Cottage by the Queen as a wedding present in 2018.

However, Meghan and Harry have barely lived in the royal residence over the last three years.

The Sussexes were originally given just several weeks to pack up their belongings but after negotiations, it was agreed they would have until after the Coronation to move out.