Meghan Markle has been photographed for the first time since relocating to Britain, as the Duchess of Sussex enjoyed a countryside pub meal with TV host Ellen DeGeneres and her actress wife, Portia de Rossi.
The trio were snapped at the Three Horseshoes near Burford, Oxfordshire. They were observed "chatting and laughing" at the rural English pub, according to entertainment publication Page Six.
First Sighting Since UK Return
A witness informed the outlet they overheard Meghan bidding farewell to the celebrity pair. Photographs captured the Duchess wearing white trousers and a pale blue shirt with rolled-up sleeves as she walks away. The snaps secured by Page Six mark the first images of Meghan since her UK return.
Meghan was allegedly seen at the upmarket retreat, Soho Farmhouse, earlier, though no photographs surfaced from that occasion, reports the Express.
Absence from Public Events
Meghan has remained largely absent from public view for weeks following the Sussexes' relocation to Britain. She chose not to accompany Prince Harry to the WellChild awards ceremony at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in central London on Monday evening (September 21).
News of her outing with DeGeneres emerges as a new book by Charles Spencer hits shelves on Today (September 22), reigniting past grievances regarding the Royal Family's handling of his sister, Diana, Princess of Wales.
Earl Spencer's Allegations
In Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, Earl Spencer claims he clashed with the then-Prince Charles over palace proposals for Prince William and Prince Harry, who were then 15 and 12, to march behind their mother's coffin during her funeral procession in 1997.
Earl Spencer says he told Charles that Diana, who tragically died in a car crash in Paris at the age of 36, would not have wanted her sons to endure such an ordeal. He alleges the then-prince "went ballistic" during the row, telling him: "Rest assured, we'll forget her soon enough."
The earl also accuses Charles of harbouring "contempt" for his former wife and of sounding "elated" following her death.
Royal Response and Comparisons
Following excerpts of the book being published last week, Buckingham Palace released a strongly-worded statement that's unusual by the restrained standards of the royal household. It said: "His Majesty is mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and color memory in ways others do not recognize, even many years after such a loss."
Earl Spencer has maintained his allegations, telling the BBC that he is speaking truthfully. Regarding the royal response, he questioned: "Is he furious? Is he furious or is he embarrassed?"
The Earl also claimed press coverage of Harry and Meghan mirrors that of the Duke's mother and alleged a "lack of obvious care" for the Duke in 1997. When questioned if the media's treatment of Harry and Meghan mirrors how his sister was handled by the press, Earl Spencer told the BBC: "(Diana) was really brought low by all that criticism. I suppose it's a pity when I see echoes of that now."
