Spare: Everything we learned about Harry and Meghan during their only official visit to Sussex

Many in our county no longer want to be associated with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex who left behind their royal lives for a fresh start in America but have been in and our of the headlines following a series of accusations of what life was like for the pair before they made the move.

For more read Spare: Queues as Prince Harry's memoirs go on sale - claims it could be ‘beginning of the end‘ for monarchy

It’s a far cry from October 2018 when the streets in Chichester, Bognor Regis, Peavehaven and Brighton were buzzing with excitement as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were due to make their first visit to the county.

Prince Harry and American actor Meghan Markle had got married at Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018 and were given the titles of Duke and Duchess of Sussex by Queen Elizabeth II. At the time there was speculation about when the couple would start a family – little did we know that Meghan was pregnant with their first child Archie.

There was a buzz about the couple and it was seen as a real love story. Meghan, the glamorous actress who had a passion for philanthropy, and Harry, the once cheeky, rebellious prince whose time in the armed forces and his charity work had won over the hearts of many people.

Crowds lined the streets of Sussex on October 3 to catch a glimpse of the happy couple and we had our photographers and reporters dotted around the various locations in West and East Sussex to cover the special day. The pair were greeted by thousands of well-wishers lining West Street when they started off their visit in Chichester, with the couple going on to view a rare parchment copy of the American Declaration of Independence at Edes House. Their next stop was Bognor Regis, where their Royal Highnesses officially opened the University of Chichester’s £35million tech park.

Then the Duke and Duchess made their way to Brighton, greeting thousands of onlookers on their way into the Royal Pavilion before they visited Brighton charity the Survivors’ Network, which helps those who have experienced sexual abuse in Sussex. Their last stop was the Joff youth centre in Peacehaven where they spoke to young people about mental health - a topic the couple are very passionate about.

Take a look back at our live blog of when Prince Harry and Meghan visited Sussex