Meghan Markle made her first photographed public appearance in England since reportedly relocating there with Prince Harry and their two children, and the seemingly relaxed outing quickly attracted attention. On September 21, 2026, the 45-year-old Duchess of Sussex was seen at the Three Horseshoes near Burford, Oxfordshire, where she met longtime friend Ellen DeGeneres and Ellen’s wife, Portia de Rossi. Meghan wore white trousers, a pale blue top with rolled sleeves, white sneakers and oversized sunglasses, creating a polished but casual Cotswolds look. The meeting was notable because both Meghan and Ellen have established lives in the English countryside after leaving California. Meghan and Harry have also maintained a friendship with Ellen and Portia for years, attending their vow renewal in February 2023, where Kris Jenner officiated. Ellen previously explained that she and Portia had originally expected to spend only several months each year in Britain, but after arriving around the time of the 2024 U.S. election, they decided to remain. She later praised life in the United Kingdom and discussed plans to spend more time there. Their connection has also continued despite renewed discussion of the workplace controversy surrounding The Ellen DeGeneres Show, which ended in 2022.

While the celebrity company generated plenty of online commentary, another detail from the outing became a major focus: Meghan appeared to have a security guard carrying her handbag while she walked nearby with her hands free. Some social-media users mocked the arrangement, questioning why she could not carry the bag herself, while others used it to criticize the couple’s security arrangements. Additional commenters focused on the timing, noting that Harry reportedly had a separate engagement that same day, although claims that Meghan deliberately sought attention were opinions expressed online rather than established facts. The pub appearance came after reports that Meghan had already been seen privately at Soho Farmhouse earlier in September, though no photographs emerged from that visit. People reported in August that Meghan and Harry were planning an extended return to Britain with Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5, while maintaining their California home. The children reportedly began school in Britain in September. The move does not return the Sussexes to working-royal status, as they stepped back from official royal duties in 2020. Harry is also expected to spend time in Britain for existing commitments, including preparations connected to the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham. For now, Meghan’s English return appears to be unfolding through private gatherings, family life and occasional public appearances—each receiving considerable attention.