Meghan Markle has yet to join Prince Harry at a major public engagement since the couple returned to live in the UK with their children in August, while the Duke of Sussex has attended several events alone.
Harry appeared at the Invictus Spirit Gala in London on 17 September before attending the WellChild Awards on Monday, 21 September. Meghan did not attend either event.
The Duchess was photographed in Oxfordshire that same day during a private outing at The Three Horseshoes pub with longtime friends Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi. She has also shared glimpses of family life in Britain through social media, but has so far kept away from major public engagements.
Meghan Keeps Low Profile After UK Return
Harry and Meghan returned to Britain with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet in late August after several years living in California. The children started school in the UK but were subsequently moved to another school after concerns were raised about their security arrangements.
A spokesperson for the Sussexes said the decision followed discussions with the family's security team and was not a reflection on the previous school or its staff. ITV reported that the concerns included the children's daily journey and the possibility of them becoming more exposed while travelling at predictable times.
Harry has continued his UK engagements, including appearances connected to organisations with which he has longstanding ties. Meghan, meanwhile, has kept her public activity largely informal.
Her Oxfordshire meeting with DeGeneres and de Rossi was a private social occasion and was separate from Harry's charitable appearances. Meghan has also posted footage showing aspects of the family's life in Britain, including images of Harry and the children spending time outdoors.
Commentator Suggests Meghan May Fear Booing
Meghan's absence from Harry's recent appearances has prompted commentary about how she might approach public life in Britain.
During a Daily Express podcast discussion, host and broadcaster JJ Anisiobi suggested Meghan could continue avoiding public engagements with Harry because she may fear being booed by crowds. His comments were speculation about her possible motivations and were not based on a statement from Meghan or her representatives.
Royal commentator Daisy McAndrew offered a more conditional assessment, suggesting that Meghan's reception would depend on the type of event. She pointed to Harry's Invictus-related engagements as a possible setting for Meghan to make a future public appearance.
McAndrew has also discussed Meghan's commercial interests and suggested she may have an incentive to consider how she is received by the British public. Her comments were an assessment of Meghan's public strategy and did not establish what the Duchess intends to do.
Meghan's UK Public Role Remains Unclear
The Sussexes' return to Britain has not restored them to working royal duties. They stepped back as senior working royals in 2020 and continue to undertake charitable and commercial activities independently.
Harry has resumed a visible schedule of UK engagements while Meghan's appearances have remained largely private. Her outing with DeGeneres and de Rossi shows that she is spending time in Britain, but does not indicate when or whether she plans to attend larger public events.
The reason for Meghan's absence from Harry's recent engagements has not been publicly established. The suggestion that she may fear being booed remains a commentator's interpretation, while family and security considerations have also featured in reporting about the Sussexes' return.
