Meghan Markle debuts new look in LA as Harry extends stay in South Africa

The Duchess of Sussex showed off a fresh look at an LA gala event, as Prince Harry extended his stay in South Africa. See photos.

Meghan Markle showed off a fresh look during a solo appearance at a gala event in LA as her husband Prince Harry extended his trip of South Africa.

The Duchess of Sussex, 43, flaunted her trim figure in a stunning bright red Carolina Herrera dress during a surprise appearance at the Children’s Hospital LA Gala on Saturday.

Eagle-eyed fashionistas noted Meghan first wore the plunging silk-faille dress to the Intrepid Museum’s Salute To Freedom Gala, which she attended with Harry in November 2021. On that occasion, she wore it with a sweeping train attached at the waist.

Meghan Markle stepped out in LA for a gala event while Prince Harry extended his visit of South Africa. Picture: Getty Images

But it was the royal’s hairstyle that stood out the most with Meghan debuting a fresh new look by wearing her hair in glossy curls. She usually wears her hair straight or up in a low bun.

The mother of two – she shares Archie, five, and Lilibet, three, with Harry – opened up about motherhood as she praised the children’s hospital.

The Duchess of Sussex has previously worn the dress but gave it a new look by removing a sweeping tail. Picture: Getty Images for Children's Hospital Los Angeles

“The work that they do otherworldly,” she told reporters.

“And I think from my standpoint as a mother no one wants to be in a position where you need to go to a place like this – but if you have to, the best place in the world you could go would be Children’s Hospital LA.

(L-R) Francis Nelson, Ella Nelson, Meghan Markle and guests. Picture: Getty Images for Children's Hospital Los Angeles

Kelly McKee Zajfen and Meghan. Picture: Getty Images

“And I have close friends who still have their children there going through treatments either from high school, close mum friends now that are having their children.”

Meghan also praised the “the staff is incredible”, adding, “The amount of work that they do for families that could really not afford this level of care is something that I think should never be overlooked”.

Meghan wore the same dress at the 2021 Salute To Freedom Gala on November 10, 2021. Picture: Getty Images/AFP

Meghan moved the plunging tail for the latest occasion. Picture: Getty Images

It comes as Harry decided to extend his trip in South Africa for “another few days.

Harry, 40, has spent the past two weeks traversing the globe for engagements in New York City, London, Lesotho and South Africa – all without his American-born wife, and raising a few eyebrows.

Ella Nelson and Meghan Markle. Picture: Getty Images for Children's Hospital Los Angeles

The mother of two opened up on motherhood. Picture: Getty Images

It has been suggested by sources that Harry has chosen to meet his engagements alone because he may be “better received” by travelling without Meghan.

The Duke of Sussex was due to head back to California and reunite with his wife and their two children this weekend but a Sussex source confirmed Harry quietly added a few days onto the trip.

(L-R) George Sibotshiwe, Vuyo Lutseke, Youth Reporter Mary-Ann Nobele, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Musa Khuzwayo, Thando Mbele-Sibotshiwe and Dr Bhakti Hansoti attend a Sentebale reception. Picture: Getty Images for Sentebale

“It’s all very cloak and dagger but Harry has extended his trip abroad by another few days,” the source told the Daily Express newspaper.

“He’ll likely go to Johannesburg and then to visit family and friends.”

Harry’s uncle, Earl Spencer, and his former wife Victoria Lockwood, relocated to South Africa in 1995 to escape relentless media attention.

While the Earl returned to Britain after his divorce in 1997, Victoria and the former couple’s four children remained in Cape Town.

Monique Wilkinson, Business Development Manager at Baker McKenzie and Prince Harry, attend a Sentebale reception and panel discussion at The Saxon Hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa. Picture: Getty Images for Sentebale

The Duke of Sussex has remained close with his Cape Town-based aunt Victoria and cousins Lady Kitty, Lady Amelia, Lady Eliza and Louis, Viscount Spencer, who all attended his 2018 wedding to Markle.

“The Spencers have a home there (in Cape Town) and he has a lot of friends from that part of the world,” the source said.

It comes as royal expert Ian Pelham Turner revealed Earl Spencer had offered the Sussexes use of the Spencer ancestral seat Althorp as a “temporary” new UK base should Harry and Meghan need a place to stay should they return.

“Earl Spencer promised at the funeral of his sister Diana … to constantly look after his nephews William and Harry,” Pelham Turner told Fox News digital.

“It is no surprise to me that Harry stayed at Althorp recently because they have been very close since that time.”

Set over 13,000 acres, Althorp contains 28 listed buildings and structures in addition to the main house and rivals some official royal residences in size and opulence.

Earl Spencer’s grand gesture marks a shift in attitude for Diana’s only brother, who reportedly once tried to convince Harry to reconsider his relationship with Markle at the suggestion of Prince William.