Meghan Markle is seen for the first time since Archie's birthday and …
Taking the high road! Meghan Markle is spotted hiking without Prince Harry near £14M Montecito mansion as she is seen for the first time since skipping King Charles' coronation for Archie's birthday
- Meghan Markle, 41, was joined on the fresh-air outing by her friends Markus Anderson and Heather Dorak in California on Sunday morning
- The mother-of-two was absent from the regal festivities in the UK this weekend
By Claudia Aoraha, Senior Reporter For Dailymail.Com
Published: 22:43, 7 May 2023 | Updated: 23:02, 7 May 2023
Meghan Markle has been spotted hiking without her husband Prince Harry near their £14million Montecito mansion - hours after missing King Charles' coronation.
The Duchess of Sussex was joined on the fresh-air outing by her friends, Markus Anderson and Heather Dorak, in California on Sunday.
Meghan, 41, was dressed in an all-black athletic ensemble, along with a khaki jacket, which she tied around her waist during the outdoor excursion.
The mother-of-two also wore a wide-brimmed beige hat, pink neckerchief, and large sunglasses for the hike.
It was the first time she had been seen in public since her father-in-law's coronation on Saturday.
Meghan was noticeably absent from the regal festivities in the UK this weekend, as she remained in the U.S. to celebrate her son Archie's 'lowkey' birthday at their Montecito home.
Harry, who rushed back to California yesterday, did not seem to attend the hike.
Meghan Markle was dressed in an all-black athletic ensemble, along with a khaki jacket, which she tied around her waist during the outdoor excursion
Meghan, 41, was joined on the fresh-air outing by her friends, Markus Anderson and Heather Dorak, in California on Sunday
The King's coronation on Saturday was not the only important date in the family's calendar. It also happen to coincide with Archie's fourth birthday
The Duke of Sussex, 38, was pictured at London Heathrow on Saturday beaming as he raced to board his flight while clutching his phone and some documents
Meghan got her steps in for the day as she went on a hike with her friends, one day after Archie's birthday
Meghan has known Markus and Heather for several years - Markus holds a senior position at the Soho House private members' club and has known Meghan since she was based in Toronto, Canada, filming TV show 'Suits'.
Heather has been Meghan's pilates and yoga instructor for several years - and the pair often featured on Meghan's social media before she took down her accounts.
Meghan's latest outing comes just one day after her husband Prince Harry attended his father King Charles' coronation at Westminster Abbey in London.
But the King's son slipped out of the venue with only the briefest of goodbyes and headed straight for Heathrow Airport in a blacked-out electric BMW.
After just 28 hours and 42 minutes in the UK, he was back on the plane to California before his father and stepmother Queen Camilla had even finished having their official portraits taken.
He was pictured smiling broadly as he arrived at the airport's Windsor suite before his British Airways flight - still in morning suit and sporting his medals.
But the King's coronation on Saturday was not the only important date in the family's calendar. It also happen to coincide with Archie's fourth birthday.
Archie was born in 2019 to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle - and in 2021 the Sussexes welcomed their second child, Lilibet Diana.
Meghan Markle was seen on a hike in California on Sunday morning
Fresh air! Meghan was joined by her two friends on the stroll in California
Fit with walking boots and blue socks, Meghan walked on with her friends just hours after apparently celebrating her son Archie's 'lowkey' birthday at their Montecito home
Meghan has known Markus and Heather for several years. They joined her on the hike on Sunday
Meghan wore a wide-brimmed beige hat, pink neckerchief, and large sunglasses
Meghan Markle is spotted hiking with friends - the first time the Duchess has been seen in public since King Charles' coronation
The crew of friends made their way through the rocky terrain in California
Prince Harry was picked up in a black SUV and whisked away to his Montecito home
Prince Archie enjoyed a 'low-key' fourth birthday party at home on Saturday as his cousins took center stage at the Coronation.
Sources close to the Sussexes confirmed Archie had a 'private celebration' on his birthday at the couple's GBP11 million mansion in Montecito, California, and a lemon cake baked by the Duchess of Sussex using fruit from their garden.
'[Prince Harry] was always determined to get back in time to spend part of Archie's birthday at home,' a source said.
The Duke of Sussex is believed to have boarded a 3.45pm flight which would have seen him land in Los Angeles at 6.55pm local time.
The drive to Montecito from Los Angeles airport takes about 90 minutes.
The source said: 'Harry was determined to be back in time to tuck Archie into bed.'
Mother-of-two Meghan apparently crafted a strawberry and cream smash cake while Prince Harry decorated their home with balloons to mark his first birthday (pictured)
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex arrives for the coronation ceremony of King Charles III and Queen Camilla in Westminster Abbey
His father was crowned King on Saturday - but he spent very little time in the UK
He was pictured smiling broadly as he arrived at the airport's Windsor suite before his British Airways flight - still in morning suit and sporting his medals
When asked if any of the party guests included celebrity neighbors such as Oprah Winfrey, the source replied: 'Some of their friends are celebrities, so yes, that's likely.
It will be a small, intimate gathering.'
Archie's grandmother Doria Ragland was expected to be at the party, as well as Meghan's close friend, make-up mogul Victoria Jackson, 65.
Another source told the Daily Mail that Meghan 'stayed home to celebrate Archie's birthday because she felt it would be inauthentic to do anything else'.
The source added: 'She wanted to minimize the drama.'