Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, made a headline-grabbing solo appearance Wednesday night at the 2024 Paley Honors Fall Gala, supporting her close friend Tyler Perry, who was honored with the Paley Center for Media’s highest award. Markle, 43, turned heads at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in a strapless black Oscar de la Renta gown paired with Celine heels, accessorized with a custom Logan Hollowell necklace and a Cartier Love bracelet.
While Markle exuded Hollywood glamor on the red carpet, her husband, Prince Harry, was conspicuously absent, raising eyebrows amid swirling rumors of tension in their marriage. Harry, however, was nearly 3,000 miles away in New York City, attending the New York Times’ DealBook conference to address the speculation head-on.
At the gala, Markle was all smiles as she posed alongside Perry, embracing the filmmaker who played a pivotal role in her post-royal life. Perry, a longtime ally of the Sussexes, famously opened his $18 million Los Angeles mansion to the couple in 2020 when they fled the United Kingdom. The bond between the two remains strong, with Perry now serving as godfather to their daughter, Princess Lilibet.
Markle joined a star-studded table that included Perry and actress Kerry Washington. Both she and Harry had been named on the event’s hosting committee, though Harry’s absence was notable.
Perry, who received the Paley Honors Award, delivered an emotional speech about his contributions to media and storytelling. Markle’s presence seemed to signal her continued efforts to maintain strong ties within the Hollywood elite—a stark contrast to the quieter life the couple claimed to seek when stepping back from royal duties.
While Markle mingled with Hollywood’s A-list, Prince Harry was in New York addressing persistent rumors about their marriage. Speaking at the DealBook conference, Harry dismissed recent speculation of a “professional separation” as part of the couple’s so-called “twin-track” approach to managing their public image.
“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?” Harry joked during the event. He went on to mock the “trolls” who, he claimed, eagerly anticipate bad news about their relationship. *“Their hopes are just built and built, and then it doesn’t happen. So I feel sorry for them. Genuinely, I do.”*
Harry’s comments come as he continues to navigate a turbulent public image. Just two months ago, he was in New York for a string of events during the UN General Assembly High-Level Week and Climate Week. The Sussexes’ separate appearances are increasingly seen as part of a strategy to rebuild their individual brands, but critics question whether this signals unity or divergence.
The couple’s attempts to rebrand themselves have been met with mixed reactions. While Markle’s Hollywood connections remain strong, Harry’s continued political and social commentary has left some wondering if their ambitions align.
With Harry focusing on global initiatives and Markle doubling down on her Hollywood presence, one thing is clear: the Sussexes are determined to remain in the spotlight, even as critics and rumors persist. But will their divergent paths ultimately strengthen their brand—or expose deeper cracks? Only time will tell.
