“Meghan Markle Absent from Kevin Costner’s Charity Event as Prince Harry Takes the Stage”

Prince Harry took the stage at Kevin Costner’s polo event on Friday night, while Meghan Markle was notably absent due to reported illness.

Harry presented an award to a fellow helicopter pilot during the Santa Barbara One805Live! annual event, which celebrates the heroic actions of first responders. Many had hoped Meghan would join him this year after her attendance last year. Arriving at 7 PM in a suit but no socks, Harry humorously noted that he felt more comfortable flying a helicopter than speaking on stage as he honored local pilot Loren Courtney.

The event featured performances by Pink, Richard Marx, and Kevin Costner himself. A source mentioned, “We were all hoping Meghan would attend like last year, but the word is that she is sick and couldn’t make it.”

Harry is expected to travel to New York over the weekend for several engagements, including the Diana Awards and an event for the Halo Trust, which Diana was associated with. He also plans to visit the UK for an event on September 30.

Public relations expert Edward Coram-James recently commented on the couple’s declining popularity, attributing it to communication and branding missteps. He stated, “They had a bad PR plan.” A recent poll indicated a significant drop in their favorability since moving to the U.S., with Harry’s critical remarks about the royals playing a substantial role in this decline.

However, Coram-James also noted that the Sussexes seem to have learned from their past PR challenges, suggesting that their decline in popularity does not reflect their character. He emphasized, “For all we know, the Sussexes could be kind, caring, and incredible people.”