Prince Harry presented an award at a fundraiser organised by Kevin Costney on Friday night but was not joined by Meghan Markle . The Duchess of Sussex is said to be nursing a sickness and sat out as the now 40-year-old royal appeared at the Santa Barbara One805Live! annual event, reports the Mirror . The Prince presented an award to helicopter pilot Loren Courtney in recognition of his service in the military.
Harry appeared in a suit but was not wearing socks or shoes for the occasion as he cracked a joke about how he - a former pilot - and Mr Courtney felt more at home behind a cockpit than on stage. Pink, 1980s star Richard Marx and Costner himself all performed at the event. Markle attended the event alongside her husband last year but is said to have been forced out due to her illness.
“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,” a source told the Mirror. The Prince is now set to travel to New York at the weekend to attend the Diana Awards and an event is set to be held by the Halo Trust, where his mother worked before she died. Prince Harry and Markle moved to the US in 2020 and have relinquished royal duties.
It’s said the Duke has been consulting former aides about a possible partial return to the UK, as he seeks to “rehabilitate” his image in Britain. He celebrated his 40th anniversary last weekend with a rare message on social media from his brother William - the two having been locked in a feud for several years. “Wishing a Happy 40th Birthday to The Duke of Sussex!” was the message .
In a statement to the BBC , Harry said: "I was anxious about 30, I’m excited about 40. “Whatever the age, my mission is to continue showing up and doing good in the world.”.
