Speculation is heating up once more regarding Meghan Markle, with the latest rumors suggesting her absence from Kevin Costner's charity event may have been more than just a case of the flu. Prince Harry attended the 1805 Live concert at Costner's California estate solo, where he honored a local Santa Barbara helicopter pilot alongside several A-list celebrities, including Jeff Bridges, Rob Lowe, and Pink. While Harry appeared to be in high spirits, Meghan’s noticeable absence sparked whispers that her illness could have been a convenient excuse to skip the event—and perhaps avoid encountering a certain attendee.
Last year, both Meghan and Prince Harry attended Costner's annual charity event, which supports first responders in the Santa Barbara area. This year, however, her absence quickly drew attention. According to sources cited by *The Mirror*, Meghan was reportedly sick and unable to attend, but not everyone is buying this explanation. A rumor first floated by anti-monarchy lawyer on the site *Sedan* has added fuel to the fire. The gossip site claimed that Prince Harry’s surfing instructor was present at the event, raising speculation that Meghan's sudden illness might be linked to her discomfort over this instructor's attendance.
Could the real reason behind Meghan's absence be tied to this individual? To understand the gossip, it's essential to revisit Meghan's appearance at the same event last year. Reports from that time indicate that Meghan attempted to take control of the microphone, possibly to deliver a speech or draw attention to herself. However, she was reportedly denied this opportunity, and the moment was caught on camera, leading to widespread speculation that Meghan felt humiliated and sidelined. For a woman known for getting what she wants, often by overshadowing others, being blocked from the spotlight was a rare moment of defeat. Many believe that Meghan's pride took a hit that night, and her absence from this year's event may have been a way to avoid reliving the embarrassment. After all, how could she attend the event when memories of a failed attempt to dominate the proceedings still linger?
The presence of Prince Harry's surfing instructor at the event has reignited rumors of a potential affair between the Duke and this mystery woman. Blind items earlier this year hinted at Harry growing close to his instructor during his surfing lessons; however, the instructor herself reportedly wanted nothing to do with Harry outside of their professional relationship. One account even claimed that Harry had overstayed his welcome at the surf shack, prompting the manager to ask him to leave.
Some have speculated that Meghan's illness is merely a distraction narrative to cover for a lack of invitation to the event. Perhaps Kevin Costner, after last year's microphone-grabbing fiasco, ensured that Meghan would not attend this time around.
Beyond the gossip, Meghan's absence at Costner's event raises larger questions about the state of her relationship with Prince Harry. Is this just another case of the couple navigating their individual projects, or is there more to the story? Rumors of a volatile marriage have swirled for months, with some speculating that Harry is attempting to rebrand himself as a solo figure, distancing himself from Meghan's controversial public persona. Others suggest that the pair are financially tied to one another due to their Netflix and Archewell deals, making an immediate separation unlikely.
Whether Meghan's illness was a convenient excuse or an unfortunate coincidence, one thing is clear: her absence has only fueled further speculation about the Sussexes’ private lives.
