Prince Harry & Meghan Markle Make Rare Appearance at Kevin Costner’s One805 Event
Not everyone was cheering when they arrived, but they were all dressed to impress and eager to smile for the cameras. For more information, keep reading!
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle showed their support for first responders by stepping out in the California sunshine, but not just the charity audience noticed their visit, which left flashbulbs flashing and tongues buzzing.
Fans and critics alike showered the Duke and Duchess of Sussex with praise, criticism, and side-eye remarks during their September 20 appearance at the One805LIVE! 2025 charity event in Carpinteria, California.
A Tribute Evening with a Hint of Hollywood Glamour
The event is in favor of One805, a nonprofit organization that was founded from the ashes of the devastating Montecito Mudflow on January 9, 2018, which destroyed hundreds of homes and lost 23 lives.
When deadly mudslides swept through the area, first responders, who had already been overworked fighting the Thomas Fire, were rushed back into action. One805 was founded as a result of the tragic experience.
The foundation offers Santa Barbara County’s police, sheriff, and fireman departments vital supplies, mental health assistance, and other resources. The Sussexes were the main attraction, but Hollywood star Kevin Costner, who is also on the nonprofit’s board, added his star power to the stage.
Turning heads and holding hands
Prince Harry looked confident and at ease as he spoke with Santa Barbara Police Chief Kelly Ann Gordon while wearing a textured blue jacket and a loose-fitting black shirt with an open collar. In contrast, Meghan looked stunning in a navy belted shirt dress with no sleeves, her gold bangles sparkling in the illumination.
She stood by Harry’s side, her characteristic loose waves framing a radiant smile. Later, the duo physically took center stage. The Duchess stood nearby, holding his jacket and reflecting his happiness in a matching dark outfit, while the Duke smiled as he spoke to the applauding audience, his arm securely around Meghan’s waist.
Unfiltered Shade and Online Applause
As anticipated, their appearance generated a lot of online attention, with comments on social media ranging from praise to criticism. “Don’t mind haters, beautiful couple ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ [sic],” one netizen said. Another commented, “Meghan looks stunning.”
Some people made comments about their chemistry, saying things like “They’re so perfect!!” and “They’re matching.”How charming. They appear to be in good health!”❤️❤️❤️” Another said, “Good to see them out and about, supporting good causes and enjoying themselves.”
Not everyone, though, was applauding. Meghan’s high heels were criticized by others. One user mockingly asked, “Who wears 4 inch heels to a field [sic]?” while another said, “Interesting choice of shoes.” They were also criticized for their characteristic attachment.
“I’ve never seen a couple touch each other so much while out in public, honest question, why do they do that [sic]?” a person wondered. And there were raised eyebrows when Meghan went on stage with Harry. “Why is she performing? Another internet user remarked, “Can’t she let him do alone [sic]?”
Whether you like them or not, Prince Harry and Meghan’s presence was definitely noticeable. Another indication of their growing ties to Santa Barbara and their continued dedication to local causes was their well-publicized support of the One805LIVE! charity event.
But this year, their appearance in Carpinteria wasn’t the only one that made headlines. Only a few months prior, Meghan and Prince Harry struck eyebrows at Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour, where they joined thousands of fans at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
The couple, who are frequently spotted in more formal settings, fully embraced the lighthearted vibe of the performance, and the moment went viral on social media.
During the exuberant performance, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were seen smiling, dancing, and mixing in with the audience.
Later, Beyoncé’s official website featured a behind-the-scenes picture of the duo. It saw Meghan and Harry snuggling together in the VIP room, grinning while they took in the pop sensation’s performance.
Meghan also posted a carousel of personal photos to Instagram, giving fans a peek into their evening. In one, Harry stood in the swaying crowd and kissed her cheek.
Fans were able to see the couple’s attire in other images. The Duchess embraced the show’s Western theme with a carefree, lighthearted look by dressing in a fitting denim dress with loose curls and little makeup for the event.
Harry accessorized his gray jacket, pants, and black T-shirt with a dark green cowboy hat to match her outfit.
Particular attention was drawn to the hat itself. Meghan shared a close-up of its inner brim, which displayed a personalized monogram that included Harry’s nickname for her, “My Love,” and the names of their children, Archie and Lili. The couple’s bicontinental relationship was further symbolized by the inclusion of U.S. and U.K. flags.
Regarding last night… Meghan wrote in the caption, “Thank you Beyoncé and team for an incredible concert (and a really fun date night). All love.” In one video, she could be seen applauding as Beyoncé crossed the stage in a floating American-style automobile.
The happy, laid-back vibe of the event was further enhanced by another photo of her dancing while sporting Harry’s hat. But like many of the royal couple’s public outings, the online response was quick and diverse.
The Duke’s arrival caught the attention of certain fans. One user commented, “Harry definitely has a broken nose in this photo.” “What happened to his nose?” inquired another. “Harry looks so different.” echoed a third. “The top of his nose is still red,” another person observed. Has he broken it in any way?
Others focused on the fashion industry. Confusion and dissatisfaction were among the criticisms. One member commented, “I don’t understand what she is wearing,” “In addition to her clothes never fitting her properly, she’s never dressed right for the occasion.”
Another person said, “I don’t understand what occasion each of them believed they were dressing for. because it appears strange when combined.
One person provided a neutral opinion amid the criticism, stating, “Nice dress! Harry seemed to have been gardening when one of those LED cat laser toys ushered him into a waiting automobile.
Notwithstanding the conflicting opinions, the night offered a unique, carefree look at the pair having a good time. The public’s attention was drawn to Meghan and Prince Harry’s concert night out, but it also revealed a deeper thread in their relationship.
Meghan and Harry have begun what she called a second “honeymoon period,” even though they have been married for seven years, she told People in March. The Duchess credited her current career endeavors for the rekindled passion between them.
She talked on how working on her upcoming Netflix series, “With Love, Meghan,” and creating her own lifestyle brand, As Ever, have inspired her to be more creative. She implied that she and Harry became closer as a result of their renewed passion.
Meghan revealed that she was operating her now-closed lifestyle site, The Tig, when Harry first met her. “I see this spark in his eye when he sees me doing the thing that I was doing when he first met me,” she continued.
According to her, it was almost like going back to their early dating days. Meghan claims that just as much as she enjoys writing, revising, and forming ideas, Harry likes to watch her fully engaged in this process. She went on, “It’s just been fun,” “This is who I’ve always been.”
This attitude persisted throughout her very first podcast interview, which was broadcast on “The Jamie Kern Lima Show.” Meghan described Harry as “such a great partner” in the open discussion, adding that she now feels like she can really appreciate him.
“Seven years later, when you have a little bit of breathing space, you can just enjoy each other in a new way,” she stated.
She continued by saying that her love for Harry has only gotten stronger. She talked about how much she loved her husband, even jokingly referring to him as a “fox.” “If you haven’t noticed,” she said, “my husband is very, very handsome.”
The fact that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attended Beyoncé’s concert was more than simply a public appearance; it was a reflection of their close relationship, which Meghan claims has only gotten stronger over time.
