Harry kicks off New York trip without Meghan at glitzy dinner as experts claim ‘they’re living more separate lives’
PRINCE Harry kicked off his New York trip without his wife Meghan Markle at a glitzy dinner over the weekend.
The Duke of Sussex, 40, was pictured during a high-level dinner organised by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Big Apple on Sunday.
The event was to honour survivors of childhood violence and discuss its impact on mental health.
He rubbed shoulders with Queen Mathilde of Belgium and the Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo.
Officials from other countries included Sweden, Colombia, Zimbabwe, Georgia, Canada, Iceland and Brazil.
Actor Forest Whitaker was also in attendance, but Harry’s wife Meghan was noticeably absent.
The usually inseparable pair have spent time apart since Harry’s lads’ trip to celebrate his 40th birthday this month.
Harry turned up alone at a charity event in California at the weekend after Meghan pulled out at the last minute having fallen ill.
Today he kicks off a week of high-profile solo events in New York.
Harry is due to appear with an African conservation group, a young people’s charity named after his mum Diana and the Halo Trust, a landmine charity which was close to Di’s heart.
Next Monday he is scheduled to host the WellChild awards in London.
It is the second time in weeks that Harry has returned to England alone after he attended a memorial service for his uncle Lord Robert Fellowes at the end of August.
Royal expert Phil Dampier said: “It is significant that he is doing so much on his own now.
“They are living more separate lives as it looks like Harry is trying to carve out what exactly his future is.
“I suspect Harry has been feeling very much like a spare part.
“He wants more fulfilling roles for himself so we may well be seeing more of him here.”
In a statement released ahead of his birthday, Harry failed to mention Meghan — instead focused on celebrating his “kind and funny” children, Archie, five, and Lilibet, three.
Meanwhile, Buckingham Palace denied cropping Meghan out of a picture in Harry’s birthday wishes from the Prince and Princess of Wales.
A spokesperson for the Duke said: “During UN General Assembly High-level Week and Climate Week in New York City, Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, will be in town to advance a number of his patronages and philanthropic initiatives.”
The statement added: “He will participate in engagements with African Parks, The HALO Trust, The Diana Award, and Travalyst.
“In addition, he will be furthering the work of The Archewell Foundation, the nonprofit organization he co-founded with his wife Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex. More details will be shared as we approach the week of events.”