Author: Mr Bang

EXCLUSIVE: Prince Harry is keen to spend the Christmas holidays in the United Kingdom with his wife and children, but the Duchess of Sussex still has fears for the family’s security.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have received an invitation to spend Christmas with Charles Spencer at Althorp, but it appears Meghan’s reluctance to travel to the UK is hampering the couple’s holiday plans.

According to a well-placed source, Prince Harry, 40, is keen to spend the Christmas holidays in the United Kingdom with his wife and children, but the Duchess, 43, still has fears for the family’s security.

The source adds that the situation has become so bad that it could prove a real turning point in the couple’s six year marriage.

“Harry is keen for the Sussexes to spend time in the UK this Christmas with family,” said the source. “However, there are still concerns lingering over their security.

“Meghan has always shown a reluctance to travel to the United Kingdom and finds it quite a challenge with all that’s been going on.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been ‘drifting apart’ in recent weeks (Image: Getty)

If Meghan Markle were to attend, which is looking highly unlikely at this stage, it will be the first time the Duchess has properly set foot in the UK since the late Queen’s funeral in 2022.

The source adds that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have not yet received an invitation to join the Royal Family at their annual Sandringham gathering – and it’s not thought they would accept even if one was extended.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were notably absent from the Royal Family’s Christmas gathering at Sandringham last festive season.

The couple were also excluded from the Firm’s “summer summit” at Balmoral last month.

However, despite a snub from Harry’s own family, his late mother Princess Diana’s family, the Spencers, have taken him under their wing.

Prince Harry visited Althorp House – the Spencer ancestral home and final resting place of his late mother – during his trip to Britain in August.

The Duke stayed with his uncle Charles Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer, at his estate after going to the memorial service for Diana’s brother-in-law, Lord Robert Fellowes.

The news comes as Harry has extended his current solo trip abroad without Meghan Markle.

According to a well-placed source, the Duke of Sussex was due to head back to California this weekend to reunite with his wife Meghan and their two children, but has chosen to prolong his solo trip by an extra few days.

The source adds that the Duke will likely head to Johannesburg and Cape Town for “private time” with family and friends. Another secret visit, which has bizarrely been kept out of his official diary, is also planned.

Prince Harry paid a solo visit to South Africa while Meghan Markle was in LA (Image: Getty)

“It’s all very cloak and dagger but Harry has extended his trip abroad by another few days,” said the source. “He’ll likely go to Johannesburg and then to visit family and friends.

“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.”

Friends of the Sussexes sparked concerns for their relationship earlier this week over the amount of time the couple were spending apart.

Prince Harry has been undertaking several weeks of solo engagements in the United States, United Kingdom and Africa.

The Duke reunited with his old friend Prince Seeiso of Lesotho this week as he gave a passionate speech around a bonfire about the work his Sentebale charity has been doing.

Prior to his trip to South Africa, the Duke embarked on a solo trip to London to attend this year’s WellChild awards.

During his brief visit to the UK, Harry did not see either his father, King Charles nor his brother, Prince William.

The Duke’s UK visit was preceded by another solo trip to New York City in the United States two weeks ago.

Prince Harry was in the Big Apple to attend a number of events during UN General Assembly High-Level Week and Climate Week.

Meghan Markle made a solo appearance at last night’s Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Gala (Image: Getty)

He spoke at a panel event for The Diana Award, a nonprofit organisation founded after the late Princess Diana’s death at age 36 in 1997.

During another appearance, at the Clinton Global Initiative, Harry gave a passionate speech on online harm and called for action to tackle the “pervasive threat” the online world poses for children.

While Harry undertakes his independent travels, Meghan is said to have remained at home in Montecito, California, with their two children, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3.

However, the Duchess turned heads on Saturday as she attended the LA Children’s Hospital gala, stepping out in a striking red Carolina Herrera dress.

Harry’s series of solo visits, and the couple’s increasing distance from each other, has led friends to fear that the couple – who have been married for six years – have drifted apart.

The Sussexes have been approached for comment.

How Holly Willoughby is finally smiling again after ‘living in absolute fear & hiring body double’ following kidnap plot

Holly has relied on a group of three female celebrity friends to help her through her difficult year

SHE was the perfect combination of glossy blonde ambition and golden girl next door – so viewers were stunned when, a year ago this week, Holly Willoughby suddenly left This Morning for good.

The star had been the mainstay of ITV’s flagship daytime show for 14 years, but away from the cameras she was struggling to cope with the ordeal of ­discovering that a man had been plotting to kidnap, rape and murder her.

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After a nightmare 12 months, Holly Willoughby is finally ready to step back into the spotlightCredit: LP for The Sun

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Sicko Gavin Plumb was sentenced in court for a disturbing plot to kidnap TV star HollyCredit: sky news

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Holly is also close to fellow TV star Christine Lampard, and these friendships have been vital for herCredit: hollywilloughby/Instagram
But now, following 12 months of quiet reflection, Holly is finally ready to step back into the spotlight.

She has agreed to be the host of new Netflix reality competition show Bear Hunt in a deal worth close to seven figures — which means she will earn more in just a few weeks from that than she made in a year at ITV.

And she will return to front ­Dancing On Ice, alongside her pal Stephen Mulhern.

A source told us: “Leaving This Morning has opened up new opportunities for Holly.

“Being free from being a double act with Phil [Phillip Schofield] has been good for her as well.

Last month she returned to the National Television Awards for the first time since ­leaving This Morning, with people screaming that they love her as she walked the red carpet.

“A year ago she would have been up on stage with Phil.

“She will return to Dancing On Ice with Stephen this winter and has agreed to present a couple of shows of You Bet! with him — but she is very much doing her own thing, too.”

Deepfake porn images

Holly, 43, has also been carefully considering who she trusts in her inner circle, and has rekindled former friendships.

Having always relied heavily on her sister Kelly for ­support, recently she reconnected with Fearne Cotton.
Holly Willoughby’s Triumphant Return
The pair met when they were just teenagers starting out in TV and did Celebrity Juice together too, but had drifted apart for a while.

A source said: “Fearne started ­living holistically, concentrating on self-care while Holly was still on TV.

“But then Holly went down the same path and started meditating and appreciating and researching holistic ­therapies.

“When she set up her wellness brand, Wylde Moon, she and Fearne were back on the same page again.”

Holly was able to start getting her life back on track in July when the man behind the chilling kidnap plot, 35st ­security guard Gavin Plumb, from Harlow, Essex, was sentenced.

It was only then that the truly ­terrifying details of his sinister plans emerged — which Holly had known about for months.

He had a string of previous ­convictions relating to kidnapping and false imprisonment and took to the internet to recruit others to help him ambush Holly at her home.

He kept hundreds of photos of her, including deepfake pornographic images.

Chillingly, he had also bought cable ties and a folding knife as well as appearing to have sourced chloroform for his planned attack.

Plumb chatted online in graphic terms about his twisted scheme — not realising one person he was communicating with was an undercover cop in Minnesota who alerted the UK authorities.

He was eventually given three concurrent life sentences for conspiracy to kidnap and murder.

The case, which had dragged on for nearly ten months, took a heavy emotional toll on Holly and she quit This Morning on October 10 last year, exhausted and fearful, before turning down all work appearances.

That long wait had been excruciating for the presenter, with her life in limbo.

A source said: “Plumb was behind bars but she thought if it had ­happened once, it could happen again.

“She was scared. Not many people actually go through something that horrific and life-changing, but Holly has.”

For months Holly lived in absolute fear. She put the shutters down and concentrated on what was really important and that was the safety of her family

She paused her lucrative sidelines, including a £1million deal with M&S and another seven-figure partnership with L’Oreal to promote hair dye.

When she finally returned to TV, Holly needed body doubles to protect her.

Then she moved out of her home and left London with her husband, Dan ­Baldwin, and their three children.

Pal Fearne had also previously quit the capital when she had children.

TV producer Dan ­also increased security ­measures at their house in a bid to help the family feel safer.

A source said: “For months Holly lived in absolute fear.

“She put the shutters down and concentrated on her family’s safety.

“She didn’t take any risks and ITV even hired a body double for the run-throughs to help her deal with her fears.

“It was still tough and horrible but she needed some normality.

“She ­continued with some of her charity work too and in February she and Dan went away for the night for her 43rd birthday.

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Holly has been focusing on her marriage to TV producer Dan ­Baldwin, and their three childrenCredit: Getty

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Holly has always had a strong group of female friends, including Spice Girl Emma BuntonCredit: Instagram
“Mainly though, Holly just kind of nested in the safety of their home with her husband and the kids.

“She focused on herself and made sure that what had happened to her wouldn’t destroy her.

“Holly and Dan have always had a happy marriage and a wonderful family life but after nearly losing it all, she needed their security more than ever.

“She spent more time behind closed doors with friends and family, going to the theatre discreetly and doing fewer public events.”

Holly has always had a strong group of female friends — among them Christine Lampard, Nicole Appleton and Emma Bunton.

‘Just nonsense’

And comedian Leigh Francis, who worked with Holly on his show Celebrity Juice from 2008 to 2020 as Keith Lemon, spoke out about his friend at the time.

He said: “I don’t think she’s in a good place. She’s having a tough time.
“I just text her messages to cheer her up.

“I just go, ‘Hope you’re OK’, and tell her about things I’ve bought.

“Like, ‘I’ve just wasted my money on some Spider-Man Crocs, Holly. Do you like them?’

By the time Holly left This ­Morning, co-host Phillip had already been axed after it was revealed he had lied about having an affair with a much younger assistant on the show.

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Holly’s co-host Phillip Schofield had already been axed after it was revealed he had lied about his affairCredit: ITV

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Schofield recently appeared in three-part desert island documentary Cast Away on Channel 5Credit:
He and Holly are no longer on speaking terms, and this week he appeared in three-part desert island documentary Cast Away on Channel 5, ranting about the “three s**ts of showbiz”.

On the podcast The Rest Is ­Entertainment, host Marina Hyde said: “I suspect that one is Holly who, by the way, has gone through some horrendous, horrific stuff in the last year.

“As we know, Phillip Schofield was let go, fired, resigned from — there seem to be a number of conflicting narratives — from This Morning because he had a relationship with a much, much younger member of very, very junior staff, which he ­consistently lied about.

“And the ­relationship with his co-host Holly had broken down partly for that reason, but for other reasons as well, some of which can’t be discussed.”

But those close to the star say Holly doesn’t care about the sniping from her former friend.

Our source said: “After what she has been through, remarks like that are just nonsense.

“On Thursday — the anniversary of her leaving This Morning — she will undoubtedly reflect on the past year.

“Although it has been hellish for her, the future looks brighter now.”

Big Brother’s ‘most controversial’ star unrecognisable 17 years after racism row as she reveals very different job

Click on the video above to watch what she’s up to now

BIG Brother’s ‘most controversial’ star is unrecognisable 17 years after her racism row on the show.

Emily Parr, who is now known as Emily Valentine, shot to fame on the eighth series back in 2007.

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Emily Valentine looks unrecognisable after her stint on Big BrotherCredit: Instagram/@officialemilyvalentine

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Emily was ejected from the house nine days inCredit: Rex Features
Emily was a drama student from Bristol when she took part in the social experiment.

But on day nine she was ejected from the house after using a racial slur against her house mate Charley Uchea.

She was removed from the house at 3:30am after she said it during a discussion in the garden.

Emily took full responsibility and quickly apologised, saying publicly: “There’s no amount of words that can cover how sorry and how stupid I’ve been.

“But we’ve all got to move on now and all I ask from anyone reading this is that they understand what really happened and accept my apology.”

Speaking to OK! back in 2021, Emily reflected on her choices and said: “It’s a period in my life that I try not to revisit too much if I can.

“The media noise and intrusion was bad but what was worse and lasted for a while was the deep shame I felt about what I had said.

“The only way I’ve found I could move forward from my mistake was to educate myself and develop a much better understanding of what these racial slurs mean and why they are so awful.

“As well as having a better understanding of racism and how it manifests in our society today.”

Now Emily is a social media star and boasts 50k followers on Instagram.

Watch as Big Brother’s Will Best grimaces in pain after nasty injury puts show launch at risk
She has also changed her name to Valentine.

The star shares content about make-up, fashion and lifestyle.

Her bio states: “30-something ADHD girlie. Bride to be 2024.”

Emily has stated that she shares “short hair lewks”, style hacks and mini vlogs.

It states says that she is also a creator coach for Influencer Biz Academy.

Big Brother series eight was won by fan favourite Brian Belo.

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Emily is now a content creatorCredit: Instagram/@officialemilyvalentine

Bake Off legend Sandi Toksvig bluntly reveals the former co-star she no longer speaks to and why she left the show

Sandi also revealed the surprising reason she never enjoyed Bake Off

BAKE Off legend Sandi Toksvig bluntly revealed the former co-star she no longer speaks to and explained why she ultimately left the show.

The 66-year-old hosted the show for three years alongside Noel Fielding, 51.

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Sandi Toksvig reveals why she truly left Bake Off behindCredit: Mark Bourdillon (Channel 4 images must not be altered or manipulated in any way) CHANN

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Sandi admitted she had never watched the show before joiningCredit: Mark Bourdillon/ Channel 4 images must not be altered or manipulated in any way. This pict
Sandi left the show back in 2020 and was replaced by Matt Lucas and later Alison Hammond.

The star has now revealed her real reasons behind leaving the show.

In an interview with The Times where she was asked if she was still friends with her former co-host Noel, Sandi bluntly said: “No.”

She then opened up about why she left the show saying: “It’s not for me. I walked away from the biggest paycheque of my life, but that’s fine.

“I’d never watched it. I still haven’t watched it. I didn’t understand it.

“Cakes are readily available in the shops. I didn’t enjoy the process. There was this showbiz thing you’d made it with Bake Off, it was a big show, getting a lot of attention.

“But my wife Deb said, ‘It’s not making you happy’.”

Sandi still speaks to Prue Leith but is barely is barely in contact with Paul Hollywood due to his busy schedule.

Earlier this year, Prue reacted to a comment Sandi made about the show where she joked that her brain was turning to mush from “watching meringues dry.”

Prue, 83 has dismissed Sandi’s comment, saying that they actually had a great time in the green room and she wasn’t ‘really bored’.
‘What is going on?’ beg Bake Off fans as TWO contestants collapse and another falls during incredibly stressful day in the tent
Prue shared that Sandi kept herself busy with knitting, writing scripts, and other hobbies during her breaks from filming.

“I don’t think Sandi was so bored because she and I shared a wonderful green room in this posh house, which was where we filmed Bake Off and which was in the library.

“And so we had this wonderful selection of books and she would knit little figures and dress them beautifully. Did you know she’s a knitter? She sells [them] for charity. So she made lots of those. She wrote a few scripts. She did a lot of other things,” Prue told Times Radio.

Prue added that Sandi’s comment about ‘watching meringue dry’ seemed ‘a little heavy’ but assured that it was only meant as a joke.

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Sandi co-hosted the show for three years with Noel FieldingCredit: PA:Press Association

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She also admitted to ‘not liking cake’Credit: PA

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Sandi revealed she didn’t enjoy the process of the showCredit: PA

Meghan Markle has sparked fan frenzy by sporting a recycled red dress to an event in Los Angeles on Saturday.

Meghan Markle stunned at an event in Los Angeles (Image: Getty)

Meghan Markle has sparked a fashion fan frenzy after sporting a recycled £4,595 ($5,990) red Carolina Herrera dress to an event in Los Angeles on Saturday.

The Duchess of Sussex, 43, who now resides in California, looked stunning as she took to the red carpet at the LA Children’s Hospital gala.

Appearing to take on the Princess of Wales’s style advice, Meghan chose to rewear a dress that she previously wore to a New York City gala to honour military personnel on the eve of Veterans Day and Armistice Day in 2021.

Princess Kate, 42, is often known for recycling her looks. She chose to rewear her £1,335 peplum-bodice, fit-and-flare frock that she first debuted at Wimbledon in 2022 to an engagement in Southampton last summer.

The glamorous event, held at LA Live’s event deck, featured performances by Demi Lovato and appearances from Hollywood stars like Kaley Cuoco and Jamie Lee Curtis.

Prince Harry was absent from the event last night as he has paid a visit to Lesotho for a series of engagements for his charity, Sentebale.

Express.co.uk revealed yesterday that the Duke has extended his solo trip abroad without Meghan Markle.

According to a well-placed source, the Duke of Sussex, 40, was due to head back to California this weekend to reunite with his wife Meghan, 43, and their two children, but has chosen to prolong his solo trip by an extra few days.

The source added that the Duke will likely head to Johannesburg and Cape Town for “private time” with family and friends. Another secret visit, which has bizarrely been kept out of his official diary, is also planned.

After seeing pictures of Meghan’s look from the LA event last night, Sussex fans took to social media to express their opinions.

Meghan sported the same dress in 2021 (Image: Getty)

One fan commented: “She looks young, beautiful and healthy. Her hair is lovely [pink-heart emoji].”

Another, noticing that it was the same dress she wore in 2021, wrote: “The way [Duchess] Meghan bought this red gown back but in such a simple but elegant way and then changed up her hair like she is that girl.”

Complementing Meghan’s look, another fan wrote: “She stepped out so beautifully.”

Another commented: “What a woman [heart-eyed emoji]”, whilst another wrote, “She looks great!”

Whilst Harry recently undertook solo trips to New York City and London, Meghan is said to have remained in California with their two children.

The Duchess of Sussex stunned in a glamorous red dress at a star-studded gala event in Los Angeles – she’d previously sported the gown at a 2021 event she attended with husband Harry

Meghan Markle has re-worn an eye-catching dress she’d previously been seen in alongside Prince Harry – but he was nowhere to be seen this time.

The Duchess of Sussex sported the red Carolina Herrera gown for a star-studded night at the LA Children’s Hospital gala on Saturday evening.

And she was noticeably without Harry, who has also been on several trips recently without his wife. Since moving to the United States, the Duke of Sussex has usually been seen at official events with Meghan at his side and yet in recent weeks he has been without her for engagements including in New York, the UK and South Africa.

This time it was Meghan flying solo as she met with children at the event in Los Angeles, presented by Kaley Cuoco, Jamie Lee Curtis and Colin Hanks. Photos from the event showed her smiling and chatting to the kids while sporting the dress she had previously worn at a 2021 gala in New York on the eve of Armistice Day in the UK and Veterans Day in the US.

Meghan attended the event without Prince Harry ( 
Image:
Variety via Getty Images)

The Duchess of Sussex was dressed in a red Carolina Herrera outfit ( 
Image:
Variety via Getty Images)

Harry has attended 10 engagements without Meghan in the last couple of weeks, as she reportedly skipped one charity event she’d been expected to attend with her husband because she was unwell.

Harry was at a central London hotel at the end of September as he attended the WellChild Awards ceremony to honour some of the country’s bravest children, while supporting a charity he has been a patron of for 16 years.

He then headed off to Lesotho and South Africa for his Sentebale charity with again no mention of Meghan. Dressed in a white shirt, dark blazer and slim-fitting jeans, Harry smiled as he stood with Princess of Lethoso, Senate Seeiso for a snap she posted to her Instagram page. The 22-year-old wrote: “Had a pleasure of hosting a lunch today”, as she shared the image in a reel.

She previously wore the dress at a 2021 gala in New York ( 
Image:
Getty Image

During his visit, Harry is believed to have met with world business leaders and philanthropists in the region to work towards fostering prosperity in Southern African communities, specifically for young people. But the lack of Meghan’s presence has led to plenty of debate and one source in California told the Daily Mail that it is the new “solo Harry” who “wants space”.

And another insider based in London told the outlet it was because he wanted to be taken more seriously. They stated: “This definitely feels like he is upping his game to cement his position as a serious player on the international stage. He’s always been desperate to be taken seriously and people I know say his fall from grace will really have got to him.”

The source added: “It is a surprise that he went to Lesotho without Meghan. There may be a good reason she can’t leave the kids, but she’s never been to Lesotho and that surprises me – it is like a second home [to Harry]. He first went there as a teenager and the royal family there is like his second family.”

Maggie and Judi were good friends

Yesterday saw Dame Judi Dench break her silence on the death of Maggie Smith – just days after the actress passed away.

Dame Maggie Smith sadly passed away on September 27. She was 89 years old.

Judi Dench teared up yesterday (Credit: CoverImages.com)

Judi Dench tears up as she talks Maggie Smith death

Yesterday, Dame Judi Dench, 89, was at the Cheltenham Literature Festival.

During a Q&A with the legendary actress, Dame Maggie Smith and Barbara Leigh-Hunt’s deaths were discussed. Both actresses have died within the last month.

Speaking to Judi, the interviewer remarked that “the last week has been tricky for you”. He then encouraged Judi to explain what she meant when she had previously compared grief to petrol.

Tearing up, Judi said: “I suppose the energy that’s created by grief.”

Maggie died last month (Credit: CoverImages.com)

Judi Dench and Maggie Smith

Judi and Maggie first met back in the 50s, whilst backstage at the Old Vic Theatre in London.

Their friendship, which lasted over six decades, saw them star in several films together.

These included 1985’s film A Room With A View, 2004’s Ladies in Lavender, and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

“What I remember mostly about that time, it was the beginning of a friendship, and I remember laughter more than anything in the world,” Maggie said of their friendship once.

There were so many tributes for Maggie (Credit: BFI / YouTube)

Tributes pour in for Dame Maggie Smith

On September 27, Maggie’s family announced that she had sadly passed away.

In a statement, they said: “She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27th September. An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end. She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother.”

Tributes poured in, with King Charles even penning some heartfelt words for the late actress.

“My wife and I were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Dame Maggie Smith. As the curtain comes down on a national treasure, we join all those around the world in remembering with the fondest admiration and affection her many great performances and her warmth and wit that shone through both on and off the stage,” he wrote.

Read more: Dame Maggie Smith’s final public appearances months before her death

 

Meghan Markle took a night away from parenting duties to attend the LA Children’s Hospital gala – but her children weren’t too far from her mind.

Meghan Markle made a sweet comment about her two children (Image: GETTY)

Meghan Markle made a sweet comment about her two children during a solo appearance at an event in Los Angeles last night.

The royal – who shares Prince Archie, five, Princess Lilibet, three, with Prince Harry – stunned in red on the red carpert at the LA Children’s Hospital gala on Saturday.

Meghan, 43, made the decision to rewear a revealing red Carolina Herrera dress which she previously wore to a New York City gala to honour military personnel on the eve of Veterans Day and Armistice Day in 2021.

Although she was taking a night away from parenting duties, Archie and Lilibet weren’t far from Meghan’s mind – with the proud mum even making a sweet comment about her little ones.

Photographs from the event showed Meghan laughing with a youngster at the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital gala. When speaking to the child’s mother, Meghan drew a comparison to Lilibet and Archie.

Meghan asked the mum: “How old are they? Oh so really close to our kids. Three and five.”

The Duchess of Sussex even joked with a little boy in attendance about being out so late at the event, jokingly telling him: “It’s past your bedtime for sure.”

As well as spending time away from her children, Meghan is also currently apart from her husband – who is on a visit to South Africa.

Prince Harry flew to the UK earlier this week to attend the WellChild awards in London, before travelling for a surprise visit to Lesotho as part of a trip for his charity, Sentebale.

Meghan is a doting mum to Archie, five, and Lilibet, three (Image: NETFLIX/Harry and Meghan)

Although he was due to return to his young family this weekend, Harry has reportedly chosen to prolong his solo trip.

According to a well-placed source, Harry made the decision to “extend his trip by another few days”.

“It’s all very cloak and dagger but Harry has extended his trip abroad by another few days,” said the source. “He’ll likely go to Johannesburg and then to visit family and friends.

“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.”

Meghan Markle turned heads on Saturday as she attended the LA Children’s Hospital gala, stepping out in a striking red Carolina Herrera dress.

Meghan Markle, 43, chose to recycle a revealing red dress which she previously wore to a New York City gala in 2021 to honour military personnel on the eve of Veterans Day and Armistice Day.

The glamorous event on Saturday night, held at LA Live’s event deck, featured performances by Demi Lovato and appearances from Hollywood stars like Kaley Cuoco and Jamie Lee Curtis.

However, Prince Harry was noticeably absent as he continued his solo tour of South Africa.

Rumours of the couple spending more time apart have circulated recently, as Harry has made several solo appearances, including a visit to Lesotho, the United Kingdom and to New York City.

Meghan Markle steps out without Prince Harry as she recycles revealing red dress. (Image: Getty)

Meghan Markle turned heads on Saturday as she attended the LA Children’s Hospital gala. (Image: Getty)

Harry and Meghan are now focused on individual goals, according to sources. (Image: Getty)

People magazine reported that both Harry and Meghan are now focused on individual goals, with the Prince concentrating on his patronage work while Meghan pursues her own ventures.

However, sources deny any major tension between the couple, saying they remain strong despite differing priorities.

A source close to Harry told the Daily Mail that his increased solo activities, including his trip to Lesotho, could be part of his efforts to rebuild his image. “I believe he wants space,” the insider said.

They added: “This definitely feels like he is upping his game to cement his position as a serious player on the international stage.

Meghan Markle attended without Prince Harry. (Image: Getty)

Meghan Markle at the LA Children’s Hospital Gala. (Image: Getty)

Meghan previously wore the dress to a New York City gala in 2021. (Image: Getty)

“He’s always been desperate to be taken seriously and people I know say his fall from grace will really have got to him.

“It is a surprise that he went to Lesotho without Meghan. There may be a good reason she can’t leave the kids, but she’s never been to Lesotho and that surprises me – it is like a second home [to Harry].

“He first went there as a teenager and the royal family there is like his second family.”

It has also been claimed that disagreements between the couple have emerged over how to raise their two children, Archie, five, and Lilibet, three, according to The Sun.

While Harry prefers keeping them out of the public eye, Meghan reportedly wants them to attend more local events.

EXCLUSIVE: This year’s World Mental Health Day, which takes place on Thursday, October 10, will highlight “mental health in the workplace” which will inevitably shine a light on recent stories surrounding the Duchess that described her as a “demon” boss.

World Mental Health Day couldn’t have come at a worse time for Meghan Markle this year (Image: Getty)

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to mark World Mental Health Day next week in a rather different fashion to previous years.

Last year, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex held their Archewell Foundation’s first in-person event in New York, providing a platform for parents navigating mental health challenges in today’s digital age.

However, this year’s global milestone, which takes place on October 10, will highlight “mental health in the workplace” which will inevitably shine a light on recent stories surrounding the Duchess that described her as a “demon” boss.

“Let’s just say the timing of the ‘demon’ boss article about Meghan hasn’t come at a very good time,” said the source. “World Mental Health Day this year is to help shine a light on mental health in the workplace so it’s a very tricky one for the Sussexes to navigate.

“It’s a scenario where they will be damned if they do and damned if they don’t.

“They obviously advocate for mental health awareness so the day will be marked in some way but not like it has been in previous years with a big event.”

The Duchess, 40, was highly praised by one of her former senior employees last week as she became embroiled in the latest allegation against her regarding her alleged attitude and behaviour towards staff.

The Hollywood Reporter, one of America’s most prestigious entertainment news sources, recently published a scathing report labelling Meghan as “Duchess Difficult” and claimed that her staff are “terrified” of her and her “belittling” behaviour towards them.

However, Mandana Dayani, former Archwell COO, spoke out about the “profound injustice” and described the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as “kind, decent, caring people”.

She told Us Weekly: “Part of the profound injustice of having to speak publicly on this in light of these endless and damaging narratives is that so much of the kindness, mentorship, and support that Prince Harry and Meghan share with others happens quietly behind closed doors.”

Prince Harry joined the Prince of Lesotho as he toured the region (Image: Getty)

Ms Dayani added: “Throughout every global crisis, their first question was always: ‘How can we help?’ Whether they were veterans, women, refugees, animals in harm, they both showed up. Never asking for anything in return. […] Just last week, as Meghan and I were planning our next lunch, I told her how excited I was to pick her brain on my latest ventures. These are kind, decent, caring people who I am very proud to call my friends.”

According to our well-placed source, Prince Harry, 40,will return to Montecito over the weekend to reunite with his wife Meghan and their two children, Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three, following several weeks of solo engagements.

This week, Prince Harry travelled to Lesotho and South Africa for his Sentebale charity on another solo trip without his wife, Meghan Markle. It is Harry’s first visit to the region in five years.

That trip followed the Duke’s appearance at the WellChild Awards in London on Monday.

Harry also visited New York last month, which coincided with the UN General Assembly High-Level Week.

He attended several events including a notable panel at the Clinton Global Initiative, where he highlighted issues within the digital space and paid homage to his late mother, Princess Diana, while discussing the Diana Award.

His stint in the Big Apple wrapped up with a lively episode on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon that saw the Prince screaming expletives while braving a haunted maze alongside the comedian host.

The Sussexes have been approached for comment