Meghan breaks cover for first time since missing Coronation but …

Meghan Markle has broken cover for the first time since the Coronation - but she wasn't with Prince Harry. The Duchess of Sussex decided not to attend the ceremony in Westminster Abbey despite being invited, choosing instead to stay at home in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Harry went to the Coronation alone, but headed to Heathrow airport immediately after it finished so he could be back Stateside to spend time with Archie on his fourth birthday.

A source has suggested Meghan felt it would have been "inauthentic" to attend the historic event on Saturday. For the first time since King Charles and Queen Camilla were crowned, Meghan was pictured in public while on a hike with pals near her home in Monecito.

Princess Charlotte beams waving Union Jack flag at Coronation Concert - updatesA photo of Meghan Markle taken in 2019 (AFP via Getty Images)

Harry was nowhere to be seen as Meghan pounded the pavement on a rare outing - wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and scarf. The fashionable former Suits actress was having fun with friends Markus Anderson and Heather Dorak, who she has known for many years.

Meghan looked very cheery as she took a stroll on a lovely day in California, which came the day after the Coronation and her son's birthday. Insiders have said Meghan "stayed home to celebrate Archie's birthday because she felt it would be inauthentic to do anything else". The source told the Mail on Sunday: "She wanted to minimise the drama."

The family friend also revealed she made Archie a special lemon cake using fruit from their garden. Some reports indicate Harry and his father were in contact ahead of the big day and there have been attempts to clear the air, but the monarch is said to "understanding" of Meghan's absence

The Duke of Sussex, Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank (Getty Images)

Meghan held a "low-key" birthday party for Archie - and it's believed Harry was able to make it back to enjoy some of the fun. She did not attend the Coronation, but it's believed Harry was speaking about his wife during a chat with Princess Eugenie's husband, Jack Brooksbank.

Harry was sat next to his cousin's hubby and Princess Alexandra, the cousin of the late Queen, during the ceremony. Before the Coronation began, Harry was spotted having an intense chat with Jack, who seemed to have sympathy with his cousin-in-law. A lip reader believes Harry replied to an unknown question from Jack which was referring to Meghan, saying: "No, she's at ..."

While tilting his head, Jack supposedly asked: "And is she?" Nodding to confirm, Harry added: "It's not ideal."

Prince Harry was spotted chatting to Jack Brooksbank (AP)

"If it makes [you] feel any better even I can do it," Jack is believed to have told Harry. "It's not quite the life, is it?" Harry then shook his head as Jack seemingly said: "I haven't had time for that, not if it's over..."

Then the Duke of Sussex made a very cryptic comment, saying: "It's an eventuality." The lip reader also picked up on the moment where Jack asked Harry: "The meeting?" Speaking to the Daily Star, the expert said Harry replied: "It's sad.

I'm fed up, I've tried talking to him." Harry missed out on a Buckingham Palace lunch with the family and did not attend the Coronation concert on Sunday night. He was not mentioned during Prince William's speech, but some viewers believed the heir to the throne made a 'dig' at the Sussexes.

The Prince of Wales speaks on stage during the Coronation Concert (Getty Images)Prince William made an emotional tribute speech to his father (Getty Images)

During the heartfelt speech, William claimed the late Queen would be a "proud mum" seeing her son being crowned King.

But he also appeared to make reference to a comment made by the Sussexes, who once said: "We can all live a life of service. Service is universal." William said: "For all that celebrations are magnificent, at the heart of the pageantry is a simple message - service."

Lots of people took to Twitter after hearing William's words - with many believing it was a definite dig at Harry and Meghan. One viewer said: "Service Harry. Do you hear that?

Not a free ride." "SERVICE. Something Harry doesn't understand," added another.

A third asked: "'Service....' 'To serve.....' 'served.....' Wonder who that was a dig at..... "