Prince Harry, Meghan Markle make surprise appearance at Santa Barbara benefit

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attended the One805Live! benefit concert in support of first responders in Santa Barbara. The event was held at Kevin Costner's oceanside estate.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made a surprise appearance at the One805Live! concert benefiting first responders in Santa Barbara over the weekend.

The Duke of Sussex, 41, and Duchess of Sussex, 44, attended the benefit on Sept. 20 at actor Kevin Costner’s oceanside estate in California, which raises funds for essential equipment and mental wellness programs for Santa Barbara County’s first responders.

This year’s benefit featured performances by Trisha Yearwood, Good Charlotte, The Fray, Alan Parsons, Thelma Houston and more.

Markle joined her husband onstage briefly and then returned to watch him from the side of the stage as Harry presented an award to Santa Barbara County Fire Chief Mark Hartwig. She was wearing a Carolina Herrera sleeveless midnight blue shirtdress with a cinched waist and caramel brown pumps.

This isn’t the first time the couple has attended the event honouring local first responders.

Last year, Harry took the stage at the event to honour Santa Barbara County air support pilot Loren Courtney and he was also joined by Markle at the event in September 2023.

The surprise appearance comes after the Duke of Sussex’s meeting with his father, King Charles III, earlier this month, for the first time in almost two years.

During an exclusive interview with The Guardian, Harry said he would like to bring his American-born children, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4, whom he shares with his wife Markle, to his home country.