Why Prince Harry didn’t join Meghan Markle during public appearance amid divorce rumours

There's a pretty good reason why Prince Harry didn’t join Meghan Markle during one of her most recent public appearances.

The Duke of Sussex was absent during the Duchess' red carpet appearance at the Paley Honors gala in Beverly Hills and, once again, it's sparked even more speculation from fans of the royals regarding the status of their relationship.

This comes up the pair have been spotted attending a number of events solo since returning from Colombia back in August, leaving many wondering what's going on behind the scenes.

There's been an avalanche of speculation around the Duke and Duchess' relationship status as of recent (Eric Charbonneau/Archewell Foundation via Getty Images)

Earlier this month, the Harry was forced to address the divorce speculation, which has been rife in recent weeks, at the 2024 New York Times DealBook Summit when asked by NYT columnist, Andrew Ross Sorkin, about his relationship.

Sorkin said: "I Google News-ed you, and there were people fascinated by everything you’re doing, all the time. They’re fascinated by Meghan is in California right now, and you’re here."

He added: "And there’s articles left and right about, you know, 'Why are you making, doing independent events? Why aren’t you doing them together?'"

Harry replied with a laugh: "Because you invited me, you should have known!"

He also addressed the intense speculation that's surrounded his family over the years, continuing: "Apparently we've bought or moved house 10, 12 times. We've apparently divorced maybe 10, 12 times as well. So it's just like, what?"

Yep, the reason for their two recent solo appearances simply down to the fact they were in different parts of the country.

A source for People has also explained the pair's separate public appearances are simply just part of their new 'twin-track approach'.

A royal expert has since explained the reason behind Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's solo public appearances (Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images)

"The Duke and Duchess have now hit their stride as individuals - not just as a couple," a royal insider claimed. "The Duke appears focused on his patronage work, and the Duchess focused on her entrepreneurial track."

The source added: "An entrepreneurial and enterprise focus is going to be more the Duchess’s priority and the Duke will continue to champion his not-for-profit patronages.

"But there will be joint efforts around those cause-driven areas of work."

Harry has also previously revealed he has no plans to take his family back to Britain following his 2020 relocation to the US.

When asked at the DealBook Summit if he plans to remain in America for good, Harry said: "I do.

"I very much enjoy living here and bringing my kids up here."

He added that his American life, free of royal responsibilities, feels 'as though it’s the life my mum wanted' for him.

Explaining that he and Meghan, alongside their children Archie and Lilibet, are afforded a level of privacy in the US, as well as a life of activities they 'undoubtedly wouldn’t be able to do in the UK' due to security concerns.

Harry says that his focus for now is on 'being the best husband and the best dad that I can be'.