Meghan Markle attends LA charity event without Prince Harry as he extends solo trip for 'private time'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Meghan Markle attended the star-studded Los Angeles Children's Hospital fundraiser gala on Saturday, October 5, without her husband Prince Harry by her side amid reports of them leading "separate lives."
The Duchess of Sussex, 43, opted for a vibrant red dress by Caroline Herrera with a striking thigh-slit and a plunging neckline.
Meghan previously wore the exquisite gown, which comes with a removable overskirt, at a 2021 New York City gala honoring the armed forces on the eve of Veterans Day in the US and Armistice Day in the UK, as per Daily Mail.
At the gala, Meghan was spotted interacting with young admirers as she got ready for an evening filled with celebrities, including Demi Lovato performing live and appearances by Jamie Lee Curtis, Kaley Cuoco, and Colin Hanks.
In the past few weeks, the couple has attended several engagements without each other, including Harry's trip to London and Lesotho. The Duke even spent his 40th birthday with his friends rather than his wife.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been spending time apart
The Duke of Sussex, 40, reportedly made ten solo appearances in the past 15 days without his wife while on a "quasi-royal tour" that took him to New York, London, and Lesotho. Meghan Markle allegedly went as far as to call in "sick" to cancel her scheduled attendance at a charity event with Harry.
It was previously reported that the two spent extended times apart but this was eventually refuted by sources close to them. They said, "It is normal for couples to not do everything together," as per The Sun.
Some sources even claimed that the couple has been at odds about raising their two children, Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three.
Before the gala, Meghan was spotted the day before Harry's 40th birthday, and earlier this year she was barely staying at their Montecito house while her husband was said to be spending time by himself at a nearby cafe.
Prince Harry extends solo trip to spend 'private time'
According to reliable sources, the Duke of Sussex was supposed to return to California this weekend to be with his wife and their two children, but he decided to extend his solo vacation by a few more days.
An insider told the Daily Express that Harry may choose to spend "private time" with family and friends in Johannesburg and Cape Town. There are apparently plans for another covert visit that has not been included in his official diary.
"It's all very cloak and dagger but Harry has extended his trip abroad by another few days. He'll likely go to Johannesburg and then to visit family and friends," claimed the source.
They added, "The Spencers have a home there [in Cape Town] and he has a lot of friends from that part of the world. There's also another trip planned which has been blanked out of his diary and he's keen to keep it very private."
Prince Harry spent his 40th birthday away from Meghan Markle
Prince Harry supposedly chose to spend his 40th birthday on September 15 with friends rather than Meghan Markle.
The Duke of Sussex did not address his wife in his birthday thank-you note before setting off on a hiking expedition to commemorate the historic age milestone.
However, some sources revealed to the Daily Mail that the trekking vacation for Harry and his friends was arranged by Meghan.
