The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have enjoyed a winter wonderland walkabout in the heart of Bristol.

Police brave the snow ahead of the royal visit (Ben Birchall/PA)

Meghan and Harry faced freezing temperatures that blanketed much of the south of England in snow, and greeted dozens of well-wishers outside the historic Bristol Old Vic theatre.

(Ben Birchall/PA)
(Ben Birchall/PA)

Wrapped up against the cold in a William Vintage coat, Oscar de la Renta dress and Sarah Flint boots, the duchess shook hands and asked royal fans where they were from.

(Ben Birchall/PA)

When the couple met a large group of two and three-year-olds from the nearby Abbeywood Tots nursery, they found the children were more excited about the digestive biscuits they had been given by a member of staff.

(Ben Birchall/PA)
(Ben Birchall/PA)
An aide helps the duchess keep her coat out of a puddle (Ben Birchall/PA)
(Ben Birchall/PA)
(Marc Giddings/The Sun/PA)
(Marc Giddings/The Sun/PA)
(Marc Giddings/The Sun/PA)
(Marc Giddings/The Sun/PA)
(Marc Giddings/The Sun/PA)

Bristol’s Georgian theatre is undergoing a multi-million pound restoration and has a unique place in British theatre history, having nurtured the talents of countless famous actors from Sir Daniel Day-Lewis to Peter O’Toole.

(Marc Giddings/The Sun/PA)
(Marc Giddings/The Sun/PA)
(Marc Giddings/The Sun/PA)
(Ben Birchall/PA)
(Ben Birchall/PA)

The couple had travelled by train to Bristol but arrived almost 20 minutes late for the start of their tour of the city, during which they will visit the Empire Fighting Chance, a charity using boxing to support children failing at school.

Duke and Duchess of Sussex visit Bristol
Well-wishers wait for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to arrive for a visit to Empire Fighting Chance in Easton (Ben Birchall/PA)