Hugs for Harry! Beaming Duke joins Meghan as they meet delighted workers at Texas BBQ restaurant ahead of her speech where she revealed cyber bullying ordeal

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle warmly hugged the owner of a Texas barbecue joint when they stopped by for a visit.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were all smiles as they entered La Barbecue restaurant in Austin on Friday.

Harry and Meghan both embraced owner Alison Clem in a warm hug before being escorted inside where they greeted other employees.

The couple kept it casual: Meghan wore a denim jumpsuit and white linen blazer and Prince Harry opted for a relaxed Henley-style shirt.

The visit came just before Meghan’s appearance at the SXSW festival, where she opened up about her cyberbullying while pregnant with her children Archie and Lilibet.

Harry and Meghan both gave Austin’s La Barbecue owner Alison Clem a warm hug

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were all smiles as they met restaurant workers on Friday

But the Duchess appeared much more relaxed as she mingled with restaurant staff and even posed for a photo with Harry.

The couple’s tactile approach marks a sharp break from the tradition of the British monarchy, which has historically been much more formal.

Royal protocol dictated that no one could touch the deceased queen unless, for example, she extended her hand first.

However, her son, King Charles, and the younger members of the royal family are moving towards a more informal approach to dealing with the public, in an effort to keep the institution relevant.

Meghan complimented her relaxed look with a pair of black and brown Chanel ballet pumps, dark sunglasses and a cream handbag.

She was in town for her appearance on a star-studded panel on the opening day of the SXSW festival, along with actress Brooke Shields and author Katie Couric.

The Duchess of Sussex discussed “breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes” at the event.

Meghan, 42, spoke out about her use of social media and claimed that most of the online hate she experienced happened while she was pregnant with her two young children.

Meghan Markle has opened up about the ‘hateful’ messages she received during Archie and Lilibet’s pregnancy at the SXSW festival today

The visit to La Barbecue came a day after they were spotted dining at Soho House Austin

‘I’m currently distancing myself from it for my well-being, but most of the bullying and abuse I experienced on social media and online happened when I was pregnant with Archie and with Lili, and with a newborn baby, with each of them ‘ she said.

“Think about that and ask yourself why people would be so hateful. It’s not catty, it’s cruel. Why you would do that when you’re pregnant or as a mother, it’s such a tender and sacred time.”

Prince Harry was seen clapping in the front row in support of his wife, along with her longtime friend and confidant Markus Anderson.

Called ‘Mr. Soho House’, Markus is often referred to as the ‘second most important man’ in Meghan’s life – and he was instrumental in bringing Harry and Meghan together.

And just a day earlier, the couple was spotted happy and happy at another Texas restaurant related to their first date.

The couple was spotted by onlookers on Thursday evening at Soho House Austin, an exclusive members-only club.

‘Harry was very animated during dinner. They were super calm and seemed happy with the cheerful atmosphere in the lively venue,” said a fellow diner.

The Duchess of Sussex arrived in Texas today to discuss “breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes.”

Prince Harry is seen in the audience supporting his wife Meghan as she speaks on the panel

Prince Harry sat in the front row to support his wife Meghan as she spoke on the panel

In July 2016, the couple had their very first date at London’s Soho House and even went back to the club for a second time the next day, as seen in a black and white photo of Meghan snuggling into Harry’s shoulder – the couple laughs.

The restaurant, which has built a reputation since its inception, has thousands of wealthy members worldwide, including Prince Harry. He talked in his memoirs about the first time they met.

“Red-cheeked, puffing, sweaty, half an hour late, I ran into the restaurant, into the quiet room, and found her sitting in a small spot on a low velvet sofa in front of a low coffee table,” Harry recalled their first date in his memoir Spare.

The smitten prince said she was ‘heart attack beautiful’ when he saw her that day.

“I had seen so many pictures of her on fashion shoots and TV sets, all glamorous and shiny, but there she was, in real life, with no frills, no filter… and even more beautiful,” he said.