Meghan Markle has been photographed in the United Kingdom for the first time since returning to Britain with Prince Harry and their two children, making a relaxed appearance alongside longtime friends Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi.
The Duchess of Sussex was photographed on Monday, September 21, at The Three Horseshoes, an 18th-century pub near Burford in Oxfordshire.
Images obtained by Page Six showed Meghan spending time with DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, during the casual countryside outing. The trio were reportedly seen chatting and laughing together before Meghan eventually said goodbye to the couple.
The appearance marked the first time Meghan had been photographed publicly in Britain since she and Prince Harry returned to the country with their children in August.
Meghan Markle steps out with Ellen DeGeneres
Meghan Markle appeared to opt for a casual look for the countryside outing.
Photographs showed the former Suits actress wearing white trousers with a pale blue button-down shirt, white trainers and sunglasses. Her hair was worn loose as she spent time with DeGeneres and de Rossi.
The relaxed meeting brought together three celebrities who have maintained a friendship for several years.
Meghan and Harry previously lived near DeGeneres and de Rossi in Montecito, California. The two couples have remained friends, and Meghan and Harry attended DeGeneres and de Rossi’s surprise vow renewal ceremony in 2023. Meghan also appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2021.
First photographs since Sussexes returned to Britain
Although Monday’s photographs were the first public images of Meghan since her return, reports indicate that it was not necessarily her first outing in the UK.
Meghan and Harry were previously reported to have been seen at Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire earlier this month, but no photographs of Meghan from that occasion emerged.
The latest images therefore provide the first visual confirmation of Meghan settling back into life in Britain following the family’s relocation.
The Sussexes returned to the UK in August with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. The children subsequently began school in Britain, although reports later said they were moved to another school after discussions involving the family’s security team.
Meghan keeps a low profile as Harry resumes engagements
Meghan’s low-key appearance came as Prince Harry continued his public engagements in Britain.
Harry attended the WellChild Awards in London on September 21, appearing without Meghan at the charity event.
The Duchess had largely remained out of the public spotlight since the family’s return, although she has offered occasional glimpses of their life through social media.
Earlier in September, Meghan shared footage showing her family enjoying the British countryside. She also posted a birthday tribute to Harry on September 15.
Her appearance with DeGeneres and de Rossi therefore offered a rare public glimpse of the Duchess as she adjusts to the family’s return to Britain.
A familiar connection in the Cotswolds
The meeting with DeGeneres and de Rossi also highlights the couple’s continued connection to the Cotswolds.
DeGeneres and de Rossi have previously spent time in the UK after relocating from California, although reports indicate they have also maintained a home in Montecito and divide their time between Britain and the United States.
Their friendship with Meghan Markle and Harry dates back several years, making the Oxfordshire meeting a reunion between longtime friends rather than an official royal engagement.
Meghan’s return to British life
The Sussexes’ return to Britain represents a significant change after several years based in California.
Harry and Meghan Markle stepped back from their roles as senior working royals in 2020 and subsequently established their family home in Montecito.
Their latest move has brought them closer to Harry’s UK-based charitable activities and has also allowed their children to experience more of life in Britain.
For Meghan, however, the latest outing suggests that she is continuing to keep her public appearances relatively private.
Rather than attending a formal event, she chose to spend time with close friends at a country pub.
The photographs from Oxfordshire have nevertheless generated significant interest because they provide the first confirmed public images of Meghan Markle since the family’s return.
As the Sussexes continue settling into their new routine, further public appearances from Meghan Markle are likely to attract considerable attention.
People – Meghan Markle spotted in UK with Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi
