While the royal family gathered on Buckingham Palace's balcony for Trooping the Colour, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle spent the weekend in markedly different settings across the United States. Meghan hosted a private game night with friends at the couple's Montecito home, while Harry made a rare solo public appearance in Texas.
Theirabsence from Trooping the Colourwas hardly unexpected given the ongoing estrangement between the Sussexes and the royal family. Still, public interest remained high, with many eager to know how the Duke and Duchess of Sussex spent the annual royal occasion they once attended as senior working royals.
As King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Prince William, Kate Middleton, and other senior royals took centre stage in London on Saturday, 13 June, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry spent the weekend separately in the United States.
The former actress and As Ever founder hosted a game night for close friends at the couple's home in Montecito, California. Markle, 44, revealed in her Netflix series 'With Love, Meghan' that when Prince Harry is away she and her friends play mahjong.
The gathering was revealed through anInstagram postby her pal Kelly McKee Zajfen, co-founder of Alliance of Moms. Zajfen posted a photograph featuring a mahjong set on what appeared to be the Sussexes' patio.
'Ugh oh. Another one has been taken by the Maj bug. That being me,' she wrote in the caption. 'A perfect day spent with my ladies and having some much needed mama time. Thanks M & T Now back to the babes and obsessing over my next game.'
The 'M' was widely interpreted as a reference to Meghan.
Meanwhile, Harry, 41, spent part of the weekend in Texas. Heattended Game 5 of the NBA Finalsin San Antonio, where the New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs, drawing attention for making a rare solo public appearance. The following day, Fisher House Foundation shared a video of Prince Harry serving barbecue with United Airlines at the Warrior Games, the event that inspired his Invictus Games.
Their low-key plans stood in sharp contrast to the military pageantry, balcony appearance and RAF flypast taking place in London.
Prince Harry and Meghan were once regular participants in Trooping the Colour, appearing alongside senior royals during one of the monarchy's most visible public celebrations.
Source: International Business Times UK
