Meghan Markle makes first photographed UK appearance since move, catching up with Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi

Meghan Markle has been photographed in the UK for the first time since moving back to England with Prince Harry and their two children, stepping out for a relaxed afternoon with longtime friends Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi.

The Duchess of Sussex was seen Monday, Sept. 21, at The Three Horseshoes, an 18th-century pub near Burford in Oxfordshire, where she spent time chatting with DeGeneres and de Rossi.

The appearance came as Prince Harry was making a solo appearance in London at the WellChild Awards.

A low-key afternoon in the Cotswolds

Photos obtained by Page Six show Markle outside the pub with DeGeneres and de Rossi. An eyewitness said the three women were seen chatting and laughing during their time together before Markle eventually said goodbye to the couple and left.

The outing was significant because it marked the first time Markle had been photographed in public in Britain since she and Harry returned to the country with their children in August.

There had been an earlier sighting of Markle at Soho Farmhouse, a members-only retreat, earlier in September, but she was not photographed there.

Markle and Harry relocated to England with Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, in August. Their return has brought the family back to Britain after years living in Montecito, California.

Markle keeps the look casual

For the Cotswolds outing, Markle opted for a simple, relaxed outfit.

She wore white pants with a light blue top, rolling the sleeves up to her elbows. Her hair was worn down, while sunglasses and white sneakers completed the look.

The casual appearance was a contrast to the more formal public engagements Harry has attended since the family’s return to the UK.

Markle’s representative did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.

A friendship that goes back years

The meeting also brought together three friends with an established connection.

DeGeneres and de Rossi were previously neighbors of the Sussexes in Montecito, and their friendship with Harry and Meghan has been publicly documented for years.

In 2023, Markle and Prince Harry attended DeGeneres and de Rossi’s vow renewal ceremony.

DeGeneres and de Rossi moved to England in 2024, settling in the Cotswolds after leaving California. Their move made them fellow American transplants in the area, and the couple has remained connected to the Sussexes.

Harry has been busy with public appearances

While Markle spent the afternoon in Oxfordshire, Harry was in London for the WellChild Awards.

The Duke of Sussex has made several public appearances since returning to Britain. His first official outing was the Invictus Spirit Gala Dinner & Awards on Thursday.

The 42-year-old attended the event in a tuxedo and told People that it felt “good to be back on British soil.” He and Markle had returned with Archie and Lilibet the previous month.

Harry then appeared at the launch of the INSPIRE education program before attending the WellChild Awards on Monday.

The WellChild appearance came on the same day Markle was photographed at The Three Horseshoes.

Harry’s recent schedule has therefore kept him in the public eye while Markle has largely stayed out of sight since the family’s return.

The couple’s two children, Archie and Lilibet, have also begun a new chapter in Britain after relocating with their parents.

A return to Britain after years in California

Markle’s appearance at the Oxfordshire pub offers a glimpse of the social connections surrounding the Sussexes as they settle back into life in England.

For Markle, the afternoon was informal and centered on two longtime friends. For Harry, the same day involved a formal charity engagement in London.

The contrast reflects how the couple have approached their first weeks back in Britain, with Harry maintaining a busy schedule of public appearances while Markle has remained comparatively private.

The Cotswolds gathering with DeGeneres and de Rossi was her first photographed public outing since the move, putting her back in front of cameras nearly a month after the family returned to the UK.