Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to make separate appearances on opposite coasts of America next week, showcasing their evolving approach to public engagements.
The Duke of Sussex, 40, will be in New York City on December 4 for The New York Times DealBook Conference, where he will engage in conversation with Andrew Ross Sorkin.
On the same day, the Duchess of Sussex, 43, will be in Los Angeles to attend the 2024 Paley Honors Fall Gala, where she will help honour Tyler Perry with The Paley Center for Media’s highest accolade.
The separate engagements reflect the couple’s new working dynamic, ensuring one parent remains in California with their children, Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle prepare for separate high-profile appearances as key date looms
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While both Harry and Meghan were on the hosting committee for their friend Tyler Perry’s honour, only the duchess will attend the Los Angeles celebration.
The duke’s New York appearance follows in his wife’s footsteps, as Meghan previously participated in the DealBook Conference in November 2021.
At the upcoming DealBook Conference, Prince Harry will join Andrew Ross Sorkin for an insightful conversation.
The Paley Honors Fall Gala will see Meghan present The Paley Honors Award, the organisation’s most prestigious recognition, to Tyler Perry.
Meghan will present The Paley Honors Award to Tyler Perry (pictured)
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These simultaneous appearances demonstrate how the couple are managing their public commitments whilst maintaining their family responsibilities in California.
During her 2021 DealBook appearance, Meghan engaged in a conversation titled “Minding the Gap” about women’s economic and professional parity.
The duchess spoke passionately about paid leave, describing it as “a humanitarian issue” during the summit.
She shared personal anecdotes, including her childhood experience of selling homemade scrunchies, telling Sorkin: “I remember the feeling of knowing that I had done something.
Andrew Ross Sorkin (right) interviewing Keir Starmer in September
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“I had invested in myself and done this labour and been compensated for it.”
During the appearance, Meghan wore a poppy pin to honour fallen service members, a nod to the British royal tradition.
She also addressed media coverage, suggesting tabloids should “come with a warning label like cigarettes do.”
Meghan added: “Like, ‘This is toxic for your mental health.'”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been executing a ‘professional separation’
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The separate appearances highlight what a royal source described to People Magazine as “a twin-track approach” in the couple’s professional lives.
“The Duke and Duchess have now hit their stride as individuals — not just as a couple,” the insider explained.
Prince Harry is concentrating on his philanthropic efforts, while Meghan focuses on entrepreneurial projects and commercial ventures.
“The Duke appears focused on his patronage work, and the Duchess focused on her entrepreneurial track,” the source noted, adding that “there will be joint efforts around those cause-driven areas of work.”
“What we are seeing is a functional and healthy relationship with two working partners, not the contrary,” the source emphasised, highlighting how the arrangement ensures their children’s care remains a priority.
