Prince Harry ‘joked about posing with a mural of Freddie Mercury dressed as Queen Elizabeth’ during visit to BBQ restaurant in Texas with Meghan

Prince Harry is reported to have joked about a mural he saw while visiting a BBQ restaurant in Texas.

The Duke, 39, and Duchess, 42, of Sussex were in the area as Meghan was part of a panel at the SXSW arts festival panel over the weekend.

The visit to Austin’s La Barbecue restaurant on Friday came ahead of Meghan’s appearance, where she spoke about her cyber-bullying ordeal while pregnant with her children Archie and Lilibet.

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

According to the Express, Prince Harry spotted a mural of rock star Freddie Mercury dressed as the late Queen Elizabeth placed next to a gender neutral toilet, and joked: ‘We should take a picture in front of this.’

The mural in La Barbecue showed Freddie Mercury of the band Queen dressed as the late Queen Elizabeth II

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with the owner of the La Barbecue (pictured, centre), which they visited before Meghan appeared on the panel at SXSW

Harry and Meghan with Austin’s La Barbecue’s owner Alison Clem. They reportedly ordered brisket and sausages

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

During their visit to the eatery, the couple were dressed casually, with Meghan sporting a denim jumpsuit and white linen blazer and Prince Harry opted in relaxed, Henley style shirt.

Meghan complemented her laid-back look with a pair of black and tan Chanel ballet pumps, dark sun glasses and a cream purse. 

Staff reportedly described the former senior royals – who ordered sausages and brisket – as ‘lovely’ during their stop at the restaurant. 

Following the couple’s meal at the restaurant, Meghan made her appearance on the panel which also featured Brooke Shields and Katie Couric.  

The Duchess discussed ‘breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes’ at the event.

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

‘I keep my distance from it right now for my wellbeing but the bulk of the bullying and abuse I was experiencing in social media and online was when I was pregnant with Archie and with Lili, and with a newborn, with each of them,’ she said.

‘You just think about that and to wrap your head about 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 mom it’s such a tender and sacred time.’

The Duchess of Sussex arrived in Texas today to discuss ‘breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes’

Prince Harry was seen in the audience with Meghan’s old friend and confidante Markus Anderson

Prince Harry was seen clapping in the front row to support his wife along with her old friend and confidante Markus Anderson.

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

Just a day previously the couple were spotted by onlookers at Soho House Austin, an exclusive members-only club.

‘Harry was very animated throughout the dinner. They were super low key and seemed happy to be around the upbeat vibes at the lively venue,’ a fellow diner said.

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