Prince Harry’s former actress wife Meghan Markle may have only arrived at the Invictus Games last night – but she wasn’t the only star of the small screen to join the Duke at the event.
For the Duke and Duchess of Sussexes’ aide Beth Herlihy, who once played a stripper called Honey in Hollyoaks Later, sat side by side with Harry at an event in Dusseldorf yesterday.
Beth, who opted for a silky pink shirt for the occasion and is a ‘programme co-ordinator’ for the couple, appeared in the racy spin-off from the Channel 4 soap under her stage name Bethan Coundley.
She also took part in several modelling shoots, including one in 2012 when she posed in a PVC body suit.
Yesterday, she appeared on close terms with Prince Harry as she chatted with the Duke.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s aide, who once played a stripper in Hollyoaks, joined the couple at the Games
Beth Herlihy, ‘programme co-ordinator’ to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex also took part in several modelling shoots, including one in 2012 when she posed in a PVC body suit
Beth, 33, put her acting days behind her in 2016 when she was hired as an events manager with the Royal Foundation, the joint charitable vehicle for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Sussexes
Beth put her acting days behind her in 2016 when she was hired as an events manager with the Royal Foundation, the joint charitable vehicle for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Sussexes.
After the Sussexes split from the foundation in 2018, Beth remained with Harry and Meghan but it was not believed she would have a significant role in the move to North America.
There was speculation that she helped organise the Duchess’s meetings in Vancouver in 2020, including a visit to a women’s shelter.
However her appearance at the Games appears to prove otherwise.
It is not known whether she joined Prince Harry and Meghan for the Duchess first night at the games last night, as she gave her first speech of the event.
Meghan took centre stage where she gave an emotional address to 1,600 competitors, friends and family at a glittering party held in Dusseldorf hotel.
Prince Harry was at the event but took a back seat and allowed his wife to take the spotlight.
The Sussexes were last seen together at a Beyonce concert in California on September 1.
Meghan – speaking at her first Invictus Games engagement – apologised for being late and explained she was spending time with their children, Prince Archie, four, and Princess Lilibet, two, at the couple’s Montecito mansion before jetting off.
Meghan Markle took centre stage at a glittering party held in Dusseldorf hotel
It’s the first time that Harry and Meghan have been seen together at the games
Meghan wore a black Banana Republic dress, Bottega Veneta belt and Aquazarra shoes
Duchess of Sussex meets Glory Essien at the Invictus Games
Prince Harry, who founded the competition in 2014 , took a back seat as the spotlight was on Meghan
A source close to the couple said Meghan did not read from a prepared speech but spoke off the cuff.
Aides said Meghan, 42, did her own hair and make-up soon after arriving at her five star hotel in Dusseldorf and got ready for the event in just over an hour.
The event is being hosted by Dave Coker of the Fisher House Foundation, one of the main sponsors of the games.
Officials from the Invictus Games Foundation were also in attendance.
The Mayor of Dusseldorf Dr Stephan Keller was at the event where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex mingled with the families.
The two-hour event featured traditional German food and the evening will feature music and entertainment.
Meghan made a cute reference to her children Archie and Lillibet during her maiden speech at the games.
Acknowledging that she had missed the opening of the days games she told the audience she had to spend time with her two young children in Los Angeles – buying them milkshakes and taking the eldest on the school run before leaving for Germany.
Meghan was cheered loudly when taking to the stage at a conference hall adjoining Dusseldorf airport
Ahead of taking to the stage the Duke and Duchess of Sussex met friends and families of competitors
Meghan and Harry pictured at the Invictus Games this evening
Prince Harry mainly took a back seat during his wife’s speech but said a few words at the end when she handed him the microphone
Meghan is pictured hugging Glory Essien as she meets competitors, friends and families
Meghan made a cute reference to her children Archie and Lillibet during her maiden speech at the Invictus Games
She also said she would one day want to bring her children to the event so they could experience it for themselves.
Meghan, who wore a black Banana Republic dress, Bottega Veneta belt and Aquazarra shoes, stood side by side with Harry, as she was cheered loudly when taking to the stage at a conference hall adjoining Dusseldorf airport.
She told the 1,600 guests: ‘It is so special to be here sorry I’m a little late to the party.
‘I had to spend a little more time getting our little ones settled at home and get them to drop off.
‘Three milkshakes and a school drop off and I just landed a couple of hours ago and I am thrilled that the first event I can do for Invictus is here with all of you. It is amazing and I hear it has got off to a good start so far.’
As the crowd cheered Harry beamed and clapped enthusiastically.
Meghan took an evening flight from Los Angeles and after a brief stopover in Heathrow flew on to Dusseldorf.
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