Meghan Markle attends Kevin Costner’s star-studded charity event with Prince Harry
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry made a surprise appearance at Kevin Costner’s charity fundraiser, marking their first public outing since Prince Harry reunited with King Charles.
The couple attended the star-studded One0805LIVE! benefit concert held at Costner’s oceanside estate in Santa Barbara on Saturday. Meghan, 44, joined her husband alongside other celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey.
This event comes just weeks after Prince Harry, 41, met with his father King Charles in London for the first time in 18 months. Meghan chose a sleeveless dark navy dress paired with pumps for the outdoor gathering, which aimed to raise funds for local fire, police, and sheriff departments. Harry kept it casual, wearing a black shirt, trousers, and blazer.
The couple, married in 2018, mingled with attendees such as first responders and law enforcement officials before taking the stage to speak to the crowd.
The annual concert serves as a fundraiser to support Santa Barbara County’s first responders by providing essential equipment and mental wellness programs, according to the event’s official website.
Performers included Good Charlotte, The Fray, and Trisha Yearwood. Oprah Winfrey, who has maintained a close friendship with Meghan and Harry, was also in attendance.
In 2021, Meghan and Harry gave a highly publicized interview with Oprah where they made serious allegations against the Royal Family. Recently, rumors have surfaced suggesting that Oprah might be distancing herself from the couple.
Earlier this month, Prince Harry met King Charles at Clarence House—their first face-to-face meeting in a year and a half while the King undergoes cancer treatment. Discussions are reportedly in progress to arrange a public reunion between father and son, something not seen in over six years. The last happy public appearance of the pair together was at the ‘Our Planet’ premiere at London’s Natural History Museum in April 2019.
Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, Harry and Meghan have only been seen with other family members during the funerals of Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II.
Meanwhile, reports suggest tensions between King Charles and Prince William, fueled by the King’s dissatisfaction with William’s comparatively lighter workload. William is reportedly unhappy about Harry’s recent visit. After last week’s events, some royal experts noted that Harry appears to be back in his element, engaging warmly with the public and children.
Sources say that Harry’s visit was not intended to compete with William but rather to show support and offer to share the royal duties, especially amid criticism of William’s lower number of engagements compared to their father.
“He’s not trying to be part of the ‘working’ Royal Family officially,” a source explained, “but he’s doing what he loves—supporting causes close to them both, like the Diana Award and conservation work.”
Above all, Harry wants to spend more time with his father, supporting him during his treatment and making him proud. On a recent trip to Kyiv, Harry shared that his focus this year “really has to be on my dad.”
Harry reportedly agreed to keep a low profile last week to avoid overshadowing President Trump’s state visit.
Plans indicate that Harry intends to visit the UK four or five times a year and hopes to rebuild at least a working relationship with William. “He’s committed to doing whatever it takes to restore trust and strengthen family ties,” a source said.
This would not be the first time King Charles has publicly supported someone facing scrutiny, as he did with Camilla in the past. Royal commentators believe he could do the same for Harry now.
Buckingham Palace and representatives for the Prince declined to comment.
