Since exiting the Royal Family and moving from the UK to star-studded Montecito, the Sussexes have found themselves mingling with big names of a different kind as they attend glitzy Hollywood galas and explore the Californian polo scene.
As they attempt to carve out a new path for themselves, the couple are pursuing their own interests – which, at times, leads them to lend their time to different causes.
Just this weekend the Duchess supported her friend Kadi Lee at the launch of her new haircare range (in which Meghan has invested) on Thursday night; while on Sunday Harry crossed the border into Vancouver to represent his Invictus project.
Harry – who was in the city to promote the Invictus Games – was grinning from ear-to-ear as he stood pitchside and waved at fans before the Toronto Argonauts took on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Elsewhere, Meghan was seen partying without her husband in Los Angeles on Thursday at the celeb-approved restaurant Gjelina.
She supported the launch of her friend and A-lister hairdresser Kadi Lee’s new Highbrow Hippie hair wellness range. The former senior working royal is an investor in Lee’s new collection and was snapped with her pals Lee and Myka Harris in Venice, California.
The individual trips are part of a ‘twin track approach’ that will see them doing more things on their own rather than together, as they pursue their own passions, a friend previously told People.
These solo visits have meant that since then, the couple – who share two children together Lilibet, three, and Archie, five – have only been seen together once in the past three months.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Kadi Lee, Serge Normant at the Highbrow Hippie Launch Party held at Gjelina on Thursday
On 7 November, Harry and Meghan – who both donned poppies ahead of Remembrance Day – shared a video message about online violence against children, a cause that is deeply important to them.
It was played at the inaugural Global Ministerial Conference on Violence Against Children in Colombia, as the Duke and Duchess called for greater protections for ‘the most vulnerable in our world’ against the threat of digital violence and harm.
After their two-minute speech, they shared a sweet moment as Harry affectionately wrapped his arm around Meghan.
Analysing the video, body language expert Judi James told MailOnline: ‘Harry was very much the alpha prince and Meghan was taking her lead from him as she learned the ropes.
‘Meghan looks less assertive here and she appears to be copying and mirroring her husband, taking her cues from him.
Though the couple have been taking on more solo appearances in recent months, they have certainly made an impact together as well; delighting fans across Colombia during their tour of the South American nation in August.
However, the pair seem to be leaving a lasting impression during events on their own too, as part of the ‘twin track’ approach.
On October 5, Meghan went to the LA Children’s Hospital’s glamorous gala without her husband.
She donned a scarlet Carolina Herrera gown she wore previously in 2021 and was joined on the carpet by Kelly McKee Zajfen, the co-founder for the Alliance of Moms, an LA ‘community of philanthropists who support pregnant and parenting teens in LA’s foster care system.’
Prince Harry waves to the crowd during a jersey presentation prior to the start of the 2024 Grey Cup yesterday
Meghan Markle danced with her friends to a gospel choir at a glamorous launch party in Los Angeles last week – without her husband Prince Harry
Harry and Meghan were seen sporting poppies in November as they released a video message in their first joint appearance in three months
Her dress and appearance were a focal point as the Duchess reworked the gown she had previously donned several years ago, but this time removed the wide skirt and paired the satin gown with boho waves.
Meghan greeted the young fans before preparing for a star-studded night featuring a performance by Demi Lovato and appearances by presenters Kaley Cuoco, Jamie Lee Curtis and Colin Hanks.
But body language expert Judi James told FEMAIL that the Duchess appeared nervous without Harry during her red carpet appearance.
‘For a confident woman who is used to cameras and red carpets she acts grateful to see and join her friend here. The body language ritual that she follows seems to be deliberate signalling of her current state as Harry is off on his solo tour,’ she said.
‘Meghan performs signals of coyness and even shyness plus a subliminal desire to have someone take over the lead from Harry, as though she is somehow lost without him on the red carpet or wanting to suggest she is feeling more vulnerable and girlishly playful than usual.’
Judi also believed Meghan gave the gown a complete ‘Hollywood’ makeover, adding that she looks more like a starlet than the wife of Prince – hinting at their need to fit in with A-listers.
A couple of days before the gala on October 2, Meghan visited charity Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara to help with a new digital-wellness programme called Social Media U.
Girls Inc. partnered up with #HalfTheStory – an organisation dedicated to improving the next generation’s relationship with technology – to launch the programme across the States.
Meghan attended the star-studded gala for LA Children’s Hospital without Harry on October 5
Prince Harry travelled to Africa between 1 and 4 October (pictured in Johannesburg on 3 October)
Prince Harry was snapped visiting Lesotho on October 2 on his solo visit
During when Harry was in Lesotho, Meghan went to a Girls Inc. event in Santa Barbara alone
Larissa May, the founder of #HalfTheStory, took part in the event alongside the Duchess and Girls Inc. CEO Stephanie J. Hull as they celebrated the collaboration.
‘We did an activity where we talked through a bunch of scenarios, and Meghan talked about being one of the most bullied people in the world,’ May told Vanity Fair.
‘We had girls wave these little emoji signs and talk about how each one of these scenarios would have impacted them emotionally.’
During this time, Prince Harry was across the globe on a solo trip to Johannesburg in South Africa to represent Sentebale, a youth HIV charity he co-founded.
The Duke of Sussex co-founded the youth charity Sentebale there in 2006 in honour of his late mother, Princess Diana, and was pictured with members of the local community.
He then paid a courtesy visit to Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane and went on a trip to the tiny mountain kingdom.
At the end of September, he also travelled to London for the WellChild Awards, which recognises some of Britain’s bravest children.
He was not thought to have met up with the Prince of Wales during his trip to his home city as their rift continues.
Harry used his keynote speech to hail the ‘little legends’ who were being recognised at the ceremony.
But the Duke came away with some prizes of his own from one of the winners.
Harry flew back to his home city – London – at the end of September for the annual WellChild Awards without his wife
He was given four glass hearts by inspiring youngster Scarlett Cripps – one for himself, and one each for wife Meghan Markle and children Archie and Lilibet – so he can keep them close during his travels.
At the start of September, Meghan was snapped attending Oprah Winfrey’s book club at Godmothers bookstore in Summerland, located just miles from where she lives in Montecito.
Insiders told People that the independent trips reflect a new shift in direction in the couple’s public lives.
‘The Duke and Duchess have now hit their stride as individuals – not just as a couple. The Duke appears focused on his patronage work, and the Duchess focused on her entrepreneurial track,’ a friend of the Sussexes said.
