During her solo visit to a children’s hospital gala, Meghan humorously remarked to a young boy about the late hour, engaging in lighthearted conversation.
The Duchess of Sussex, aged 43, spent the previous evening engaging with young admirers while attending an event in downtown Los Angeles, unaccompanied by her husband, Prince Harry.
The Duke of Sussex is reportedly continuing his solo tour of South Africa, following a brief visit to the UK in recent weeks, during which he was also without Meghan.
Footage from last night’s event captures the Duchess warmly greeting a family before playfully remarking to a young boy about being awake at a late hour. “It’s past your bedtime for sure,” Meghan commented, addressing the child, who was being held by his mother.
She further inquired, “How old are they? Oh, so really close to our kids. Three and five.”
The Duchess commanded attention at the event, re-wearing a striking red Carolina Herrera gown. She had previously donned the elegant dress at a 2021 gala in New York City, which honored the military ahead of Veterans Day in the United States and Armistice Day in the United Kingdom.
She greeted the young fans before attending a star-studded evening that included a performance by Demi Lovato and appearances by presenters Kaley Cuoco, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Colin Hanks.
This follows a series of separate commitments made by Harry and Meghan, including Harry’s recent solo trips to London and Lesotho.
In the past 15 days, the Duke has undertaken ten solo engagements without his wife, as part of what has been described as a “quasi-royal tour” spanning three countries, including New York, London, and Lesotho.
It has also been reported that Meghan withdrew from a charity event she was scheduled to attend with Prince Harry, citing illness.
Additionally, while Prince Harry was seen engaging in lighthearted banter with talk show host Jimmy Fallon in New York, actor George Clooney—a guest at Harry’s 2018 wedding—was hosting a humanitarian awards ceremony in the city, with Harry’s absence notably observed.
The last public sighting of Meghan occurred the day before Harry’s birthday, and earlier this year, she reportedly spent extended periods away from their Montecito home, while Harry was said to be “moping around” alone at a local café.
Last year, there were claims that the couple spent significant time apart, though sources close to them denied these reports, stating that while they, like any couple, may have disagreements, their relationship remained strong.
However, recent reports suggest Meghan has grown increasingly frustrated with Harry’s legal battles in the UK concerning his security entitlement.
There have also been reported disagreements between the couple regarding the upbringing of their children, Archie, five, and Lilibet, three. According to a source quoted by The Sun, Harry prefers to keep the children out of the public eye to avoid being photographed, whereas Meghan reportedly wishes for them to attend more local events.
In August, Meghan and Harry visited Colombia as representatives of their Archewell Foundation. Some now speculate that Harry’s new “solo” appearances may be his own initiative, as he seeks to reshape his public image.
A well-placed Californian source told DailyMail, “I hear he wanted it this way. I believe he wants space.”
Others have noted that the Duke and Duchess seem to be pursuing distinct personal goals. According to an insider speaking to People, “The Duke and Duchess have now hit their stride as individuals—not just as a couple. The Duke appears focused on his patronage work, while the Duchess is concentrating on her enterprise endeavors.”
A different perspective was offered by a London-based insider, who suggested, “This definitely seems like Harry is stepping up to solidify his standing as a serious figure on the international stage. He’s always been eager to be taken seriously, and those I know believe his fall from grace has deeply affected him.”
The source continued, noting the surprise of Harry traveling to Lesotho without Meghan. “There may be a valid reason for her staying behind with the children, but it’s surprising she hasn’t visited Lesotho yet, given its significance to Harry—it’s like a second home to him. He first visited as a teenager, and the royal family there is like his second family.”
Harry’s close bond with Prince Seeiso, the younger brother of Lesotho’s king, was also highlighted. The two are so close that they refer to each other as “brother,” having co-founded the charity Sentebale together.
“Sentebale is such a significant part of his life; one would think he would want to share it,” the source remarked.
