PRINCE Harry cracked a joke as he took to the stage at a star-studded event – but Meghan mysteriously skipped it.
Harry presented an award at an event which Hollywood actor Kevin Costner organised to raise funds for emergency services.
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But his wife Meghan Markle was absent from the fundraiser near their California home due to reported illness.
A source at the event told the Mirror: “We were all hoping Meghan would attend like she did last year but the word is that she is sick and could not make it.”
Harry wore a suit but no socks to the annual Santa Barbara One805Live! event.
He presented an award to local helicopter pilot Loren Courtney soon after arriving at 7pm.
Former chopper pilot Harry joked about how they both felt more at home behind the controls of a helicopter than onstage.
Costner, pop star Pink and Eighties legend Richard Marx all performed at the event.
Harry is expected to travel to New York over the weekend for a series of events including the Diana Awards.
He is also expected to attend a an event held by the Halo Trust, a landmine clearance charity which Diana worked with before she died.
The prince is reportedly set to travel to the UK for an event on September 30.
It comes after Harry accepted an £8million inheritance despite not being a working royal.
Before her death, Harry’s great-gran the Queen Mother arranged for him to get the trust fund payment on his 40th birthday.
That milestone fell last week – and Harry is reportedly set to accept the cash sum despite no longer being a working royal.
Former royal butler Grant Harrold told the New York Post: “I’ve no doubt that Harry will accept it.
“It’s money that’s owed to him, money that’s coming to him. I don’t think he will decline the money.
“It’s inheritance so it’s his right. It’s already something that has been set in place for years now.”
The Queen Mother put aside a tax-free £19million trust fund in 1994 to leave to her great-grandchildren.
Her bequest was divided into two installments – one payment when the royals turned 21, and another on their 40th.
Royal expert Hugo Vickers said the timing couldn’t be better for Harry and Meghan.
Vickers told The Sun: “No doubt it would be helpful because I think he leads a very expensive lifestyle.
“Hopefully he will put the money to good use. £8million can disappear pretty fast in a place like Montecito.
“The couple have an enormous staff, a big house to maintain, and cars.
“Harry has to pay for his own security too which we know he takes very seriously.”
Harry got a surprise 40th birthday message from Kate and William’s account this morning – in a hint of an olive branch after their feud.
Posting on Instagram, William and Kate’s account said: “Wishing a Happy 40th Birthday to The Duke of Sussex.”
The official account shared a snap of California-based Harry smiling in a grey suit and white shirt.
But the post was not signed off with William or Kate’s initials, as is normally the case for posts they write themselves.
The Royal Family’s account shared the same snap, saying: “Wishing the Duke of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday today!”
It is the first time the royal family has shared a public message for Harry since wishing him a happy birthday in 2021.
Last year the royals declined to publicly celebrate Harry’s 39th birthday.
Harry was heard admitting he hadn’t heard from his family when asked by a well-wisher at the 2023 Invictus Games in Germany.
The royals’ silence came after Harry released his memoir Spare, which blasted his entire family – including William, Kate and Camilla.
This year prince is marking his 40th birthday with family and friends at his £11million mansion in California.
He will then jet off for a “weekend getaway” with a few close friends, The Sun revealed this week.
It is not yet known where Harry will go or who will join him on the trip.
But the group is unlikely to include his brother William – as he and Harry have not spoken for more than two years.
And Harry’s wife Meghan and children Archie and Lilibet will stay at home while he heads off with his mates.
The band of brothers could include Harry’s polo BFF, his “second dad” and a “party animal” pal.
Harry is reportedly asking former aides to help him plan a comeback from his US exile and spend more time in Britain.
The Duke of Sussex, 40, is said to be consulting people “from his old life” after growing frustrated with American PR experts.
Harry reportedly plans to spend more time in the UK in a bid to repair his relationship with King Charles.
The strategy could see a “rehabilitated” Harry stage a partial return to royal life.
But insiders said Harry and Meghan are not seeking a permanent return from California.
A source told the Mail: “Harry is turning away from all sorts of Hollywood publicists and is seeking counsel from his old friends and associates.
“He is clearly reaching out thinking, ‘I need to do something different because what I’m doing is clearly not working’.”
The source added: “In short, Prince Harry is rethinking the way he operates.”
Harry has reportedly sent WhatsApp messages to a number of old friends in the UK.
The prince’s former private secretary Edward Lane Fox has reportedly been tipped to plot a comeback.
But Lane Fox said: “It’s not something I’ve got a view on I’m afraid.”
Harry has reportedly decided not to update his memoir Spare for its paperback edition, which is due to come out on October 24.
He will not be doing any interviews to promote the paperback, it is understood.
Friends are said to believe Harry’s comeback could succeed if it staged with zero publicity or “fuss”.
It is feared that Harry’s relationship with his brother William is beyond repair.
But King Charles is reportedly open to spending more time with his son.
It comes after The Sun revealed William and Harry stood “virtually back to back” at their uncle’s memorial service.
Harry secretly dashed from his US home to the service for Lord Robert Fellowes, who was married to Princess Diana’s sister Jane.
But the Duke of Sussex and his brother did not exchange a word at the memorial in the Norfolk village of Snettisham.
One mourner told The Sun: “They were only five yards from each other.”
William and Harry chatted to mourners as they mingled at their uncle’s memorial service.
At one point the princes were standing “virtually back to back” at the wake.
But both left separately without seemingly exchanging a word, onlookers said.
The Sun revealed Harry jetted in secret from the US after previously saying he could not attend due to security fears.
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