Meghan Markle's first London outing: afternoon tea with Malala Yousafzai at Claridge's

Six weeks after quietly slipping back into Britain, Meghan Markle made her first confirmed public appearance in London on October 8 — not at a royal engagement or a formal event, but over cucumber sandwiches and scones at Claridge's, seated across from Malala Yousafzai.

The Duchess of Sussex and the Pakistani girls' education advocate were filmed, apparently unaware, by fellow diners at the Mayfair hotel. One group posted a video to social media captioned: 'POV: Claridge's decided to seat Meghan Markle and Malala in front of you,' according to the Mirror. The two women were in a corner booth and appeared deep in conversation.

After their afternoon tea — fellow diners told the Mirror the pair ate cucumber sandwiches and scones with jam and clotted cream, with the scones apparently a favourite of Meghan's — the two emerged outside the hotel, chatted, and shared a hug before parting ways. Photos of the farewell were obtained by the Mail.

Meghan, 45, wore a long camel coat, beige sweater, and wide-legged white trousers, paired with pointed-toe flats and a Logan Hollowell emerald necklace, according to E! News. Malala, 29, wore a tan blazer, striped trousers, and a camel-coloured headscarf.

The two women's friendship dates to October 2020, when Meghan, Prince Harry, and Malala took part in a virtual conversation to mark International Day of the Girl, discussing access to education for girls around the world. Since that meeting, the Mirror reports, they are believed to have stayed in contact and formed a close friendship.

Meghan and I are on the same page: we both believe that when girls have access to education, everyone wins.— Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Peace Prize laureate

The lunch is the latest in a series of low-key public sightings since Meghan and Harry returned to England on August 26 with their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5. On September 21, Meghan was spotted in Oxfordshire with friends Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi, according to Vanity Fair. Last Friday, Harry and Meghan were photographed holding hands on their way to The Falkland Arms, a 16th-century pub in the Oxfordshire village of Great Tew — their first outing together since the return. The Mirror reported Meghan ordered gluten-free beer-battered haddock and chips while Harry had chicken, ham and leek pie.

The family's return has not been without friction. After enrolling Archie and Lilibet in a school, the couple transferred them to a different one over security concerns, then publicly criticised photographers who had been monitoring the original school's perimeter.

There is a world of difference between legitimate media activity and photographers walking around the perimeter of a school, stopping to look into the grounds and monitoring children as they go about their day. Whatever photographs they may have been seeking, this was not only an unacceptable intrusion into the privacy of all children; it was also an irresponsible and ill-considered way to conduct themselves in the vicinity of a school.— Spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex

It's been great to be back on British soil. The kids are happy in school.— Prince Harry

The couple have not given up their home in Montecito, California, and Vanity Fair France reports their return is for an extended, indefinite period rather than a permanent relocation. They are living in a house in the Cotswolds, a few kilometres from King Charles — whom Harry has not yet seen again, according to Vanity Fair. The couple will not resume royal duties: King Charles wrote to the government stating that their styles as His and Her Royal Highness 'remain in abeyance and are not used.'

Hours before the Claridge's lunch became public, Meghan's lifestyle brand As Ever launched a Christmas collection of three luxury hampers priced between £159 and £195, featuring fruit spreads, herbal teas, spice kits, candles, and a range of chocolate bars made in collaboration with Los Angeles chocolatier Compartes, according to the Mirror.

Why it matters — The meeting offers the clearest signal yet of how Meghan is beginning to re-engage publicly in Britain — through personal friendships and shared causes rather than royal duties — as the couple navigates an unprecedented and still-undefined role in the UK.

Reported by eonline.com, people.com, harpersbazaar.com, townandcountrymag.com, mirror.co.uk, vanityfair.com