Prince Harry ‘extends’ solo trip without wife Meghan Markle in South Africa

Prince Harry has opted to extend his trip to South Africa, increasing his separation from wife Meghan Markle, who has appeared out and about wearing a bright red dress.

Prince Harry has decided to extend his trip to South Africa and will not reunite with wife Meghan Markle for “another few days”, an unnamed insider has confirmed to Sky News.

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.

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

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 has 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.”

Prince 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, Duke of Sussex attend a Sentebale reception and panel discussion at The Saxon Hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa. Picture: Brian Otieno/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.

Meanwhile, Meghan Markle stepped out solo wearing a bright red Carolina Herrera dress during a surprise appearance at the Children’s Hospital LA Gala.

The Duchess of Sussex posed on the green carpet at the charity event, which honours the Children’s Hospital LA’s patients and pediatric workers.

Originally published as Prince Harry ‘extends’ solo trip without wife Meghan Markle in South Africa