Meghan Markle is set to cut her Invictus Games trip short and leave her husband, Prince Harry, to fly home. The Duchess has been at the multi-sport event for five days since arriving in Vancouver with Harry, last Friday afternoon.
The 43-year-old’s travel plans were kept confidential for security reasons, but sources indicate that her departure on Tuesday was always part of the plan.
Meghan has returned to California to be with the couple’s children, Archie and Lilibet, who remained there during the festivities.
Harry is slated to remain at the Games, which is an international sports competition designed for injured servicemen and women along with veterans, until the closing ceremony this coming Sunday.
During the initial days of the competition, Meghan was seen supporting her husband, and the couple got affectionate while attending various events of the sporting tournament.
She accompanied Harry during the opening ceremony in Vancouver, where they shared a kiss in the stands. And in a speech on stage, Harry seemed to subtly criticise US President Donald Trump, who has called Meghan “terrible”.
The Duke spoke out against “weak moral character in the world” and expressed gratitude towards veterans, reports the Mirror.
Meghan and Harry enjoyed a meal at Vij’s Indian restaurant in Vancouver with singer Michael Buble and his wife Luisana Lopilato on Saturday night. Meghan has also been actively posting on her newly-launched Instagram account, sharing her experiences at the games through a series of Instagram stories, including interactions with competitors’ children and a lively entrance into the stadium on a golf buggy during the opening ceremony.
On Monday, Harry and Meghan were spotted enjoying beers while taking in the winter sports activities in Whistler, where Harry playfully teased his wife during a speech that involved him inviting her on stage and jokingly suggesting that she was going to perform a song for everyone.
Harry will stay in Canada for the entirety of the Games and is expected to deliver a closing speech. Harry, having served as a British Army captain, inaugurated the Invictus Games in 2014.
Meghan’s return to California follows her admission earlier in the week that she was missing her children. The Duchess had breakfast with Cynthia Phelps, 39, her husband James, 44, and their seven-month-old baby Laramie from Alaska at their hotel in Vancouver on Saturday.
“I was just talking to Meghan about her kids,” Cynthia said. “She said her kids were at home and she missed them and she was excited to see a baby that was so happy. She said she misses them and remembers when they were young. She said [Laramie] was a very happy baby.”
Meghan’s visit is being hailed as a PR success after she enjoyed considerable attention, often being surrounded by eager fans wishing for selfies wherever she went.
On Sunday, the couple lingered after a wheelchair basketball match at the Vancouver Convention Centre for over 25 minutes so fans could get pictures. Meghan even stopped a fan from falling over when she got over-excited in the crowd.
The Duchess made sure that she and Prince Harry stayed until all fans had an opportunity for photos and videos, even though aids were signalling for her to carry on to the next scheduled engagement.
Meghan was described as “always personable and very down to earth” by Cynthia, who went on: “She just really cares about us. Every time she talks to us it’s very visible and genuine.
“It’s a blessing to be able to spend time with [her and Harry]. They genuinely care about the healing journey of every single one of the competitors. We greatly appreciate it.”
During the previous Invictus Games in Dusseldorf in 2023, Meghan joined Harry for only part of the competition, choosing instead to remain in California with their children for the initial days.