Prince Harry’s former actress Meghan Markle may have just 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.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s advisor Beth Herlihy, who once played a stripper named Honey in Hollyoaks Later, sat side by side with Harry at an event in Düsseldorf yesterday.
Beth, who opted for a silk pink shirt for the occasion and acts as the couple’s “program co-ordinator”, appeared in the racy spin-off of the Channel 4 soap under her stage name Bethan Coundley.
She also took part in several modeling shoots, including one in 2012 where she posed in a PVC bodysuit.
Yesterday she appeared to be in close contact with Prince Harry as she chatted to the Duke.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s assistant, who once played a stripper in Hollyoaks, accompanied the couple at the games
Beth Herlihy, “program coordinator” for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, also took part in several modeling shoots, including one in 2012 when she posed in a PVC bodysuit
Beth, 33, left her acting career behind in 2016 when she was hired as an events manager at the Royal Foundation, the joint charity of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Sussexes
Beth left her acting career behind in 2016 when she was hired as an events manager at the Royal Foundation, the joint charity of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Sussexes.
After the Sussexes parted ways with the foundation in 2018, Beth remained with Harry and Meghan, but was not expected to play a significant role in the move to North America.
There was speculation that she helped organize the Duchess’ meetings in Vancouver in 2020, including a visit to a women’s shelter.
However, their appearance at the Games seems to prove otherwise.
It is not known whether she accompanied Prince Harry and Meghan to the Duchess’s debut at the Games last night, when she gave her first speech at the event.
Meghan was the center of attention when she gave an emotional speech to 1,600 participants, friends and family at a lavish party in the Düsseldorf hotel.
Prince Harry was at the event but faded into the background, letting his wife take the spotlight.
The Sussexes were last seen together at a Beyoncé concert in California on September 1st.
Meghan – speaking at her first appearance at the Invictus Games – apologized for her delay and said she was spending time with her children, Prince Archie, four, and Princess Lilibet, two, at the couple’s Montecito villa before fly off.
Meghan Markle was at the center of a lavish party in the Düsseldorf hotel
It is the first time Harry and Meghan have been seen together at the Games
Meghan wore a black Banana Republic dress, a Bottega Veneta belt and Aquazarra shoes
Duchess of Sussex meets Glory Essien at the Invictus Games
Prince Harry, who launched the competition in 2014, took a back seat as Meghan took the spotlight
A source close to the couple said Meghan did not read from a prepared speech but spoke extemporaneously.
Aides said Meghan, 42, did her own hair and makeup shortly after arriving at her five-star hotel in Düsseldorf and was ready for the event in just over an hour.
The event will be hosted by Dave Coker of the Fisher House Foundation, a major sponsor of the games.
Representatives from the Invictus Games Foundation were also present.
The mayor of Düsseldorf, 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 cuisine and in the evening there was music and entertainment.
Meghan made a sweet nod to her children Archie and Lillibet during her acceptance speech at the Games.
She acknowledged missing the opening of the day’s games and told the audience she needed to spend time with her two young children in Los Angeles – buying them milkshakes and going on a school run with the eldest before heading off to Germany.
Meghan was loudly cheered as she took the stage in a conference hall next to Düsseldorf Airport
Before taking the stage, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex met with friends and families of the attendees
Meghan and Harry pictured at the Invictus Games this evening
Prince Harry mostly faded into the background during his wife’s speech, but said a few words at the end when she handed him the microphone
Meghan hugs Glory Essien as she meets competitors, friends and families
During her acceptance speech at the Invictus Games, Meghan made a sweet nod to her children Archie and Lillibet
She also said that one day she would like to bring her children to the event so they can experience it for themselves.
Meghan, wearing a black Banana Republic dress, a Bottega Veneta belt and Aquazarra shoes, stood side by side with Harry as she took the stage in a conference hall next to Düsseldorf Airport to loud cheers.
She told the 1,600 guests: “It’s so special to be here. I’m sorry I’m a little late to the party.”
“I had to spend a little more time getting our little ones home and dropping them off.
“Three milkshakes and a school drop off and I just landed a few hours ago and I’m excited that the first event I can do for Invictus is here with you all.” “It’s great and I’ve heard it so far got off to a good start.”
As the crowd cheered, Harry beamed and clapped enthusiastically.
Meghan took an evening flight from Los Angeles and, after a short stopover at Heathrow, flew on to Düsseldorf.