Prince Harry enjoys boozy night with rugby legend after Meghan jets off solo with pair spending Valentine’s apart
PRINCE Harry was spotted enjoying a boozy night out with a rugby legend, after Meghan jetted off solo.
The pair spent Valentine’s Day apart, after the Duchess, 43, decided to fly back to California from Vancouver, Canada, where they had been attending the Invictus Games together.
The event, established by ex-soldier Harry in 2014, features sporting events for injured military servicemen and women.
After Meghan caught her private jet back home, Harry, 40, relaxed over a beer with former New Zealand captain Richie McCaw, 44.
They were spotted in the stands at the wheelchair rugby – as the USA and Australia battled it out for the bronze medal.
In snaps from the game, the solo prince can be seen smiling, chatting and cheers-ing with the retired rugby star – who was twice part of the World Cup winning side for the All Blacks.
He is also seen shouting at the court, as the tight match unfolds.
Team USA secured a 27-20 win – with the final set to take place between the UK and France today.
Harry is expected to attend the game, scheduled for 4.40am UK-time, along with Richie for a second outing together.
The pair previously met when Harry presented Richie with the 2015 World Cup trophy.
The Duke then joined his grandmother, the Queen, for a reception at Buckingham Palace for the team.
After returning home, Meghan shared posted a story on her social media account on Wednesday night.
She shared a picture of an array of Invictus themed sweet treats with the caption: “A taste of Canada and the Invictus Games for our little ones!
“Cheering you on from home!”
She had always planned to leave on her own to be with son Archie, five, and daughter Lilibet, three.
A source close to the couple said: “This was always planned. Meghan is going home to be with her children.
“Meghan left the games in Dusseldorf early after five days to go home.
“This is Prince Harry‘s event and she is there to support him but this was planned.”
Although the couple spent Valentine’s Day apart, Harry has reportedly purchased a very expensive gift for his wife to mark the occasion – a £3,240 pair of Diamond Cascade earrings by Maya Brenner.
Meghan’s departure follows months of speculation about the state of affairs between the pair.
The prince already chose to spend his 40th birthday in September hiking with pals without Meghan.
And there has been talk of “professional separation” between the two in recent months too.
But they put on a united front at the Invictus Games – as Meghan gave a gushing speech about her husband at the opening ceremony and the pair were alter seen kissing and cuddling in the stands.
However, Meghan has drawn criticism for the “interference” in Harry’s beloved event.
Royal expert Ingrid Seward told The Sun: “I thought it was unnecessary of Meghan to interfere with what is essentially Harry’s baby. She knows that.
“He really doesn’t need her. When Harry first launched the Invictus Games in London, he was launching it in front of his dad, his stepmum, and his brother.
“He doesn’t need Meghan there to introduce him. I thought it was really wrong and kind of detracted from what he was trying to do.”
Meghan 'trying to prove' how happy she is in PDA with Harry
A BODY language expert has claimed Meghan’s recent PDA with Harry was a “two-finger salute” to US President Trump.
The couple were seen kissing and sharing warm embraces at the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games in Vancouver, Canada.
It comes as Trump ruled out deporting Prince Harry over his visa legal battle in a scathing attack where he referred to Meghan as “terrible”.
Body language expert Judi James told The Sun: “Meghan’s touch rituals were especially specific, as was the way she didn’t just hold Harry’s arm but also held his hand in a clasp, too.
“Her face-touching sent a strong signal of tender affection and ownership out to the world.
“When she clasped his head in both of her hands and planted her loving kisses she signalled, ‘He’s mine and I love him’.”
She explained this rare-move from Meghan could indicate she’s both solidly “swoony-in-love” but also purposefully making a projection.
Judi continued: “There were also clues that this open adoration and emphatic family vibe could be something of a two-finger salute to Trump, after his blistering comment about Meghan.
“She might have been trying to prove how blissfully happy she and Harry are and even how lucky he is to have such a loyal and supportive wife.”
Donald Trump confirmed he would not deport Harry as part of his ongoing legal troubles in relation to a previous application for a US visa.
In a scathing comment in response to being asked if he would deport the prince, Trump told The New York Post: “I don’t want to do that.
“I’ll leave him alone. He’s got enough problems with his wife. She’s terrible.”
Meghan has not hid her aversion for Trump in the past, having dubbed him “divisive” and “misogynistic”.
The president also called Harry “whipped,” and believes the prince is “being led around by the nose”.
Turning back to Meghan and Harry’s appearance at the Invictus games, Judi explained the duchess’ body language signals had changed from previous appearances.
She added: “Her intro speech for her husband was performed in the same ‘Oh gosh’, breathlessly excited tone as her new Insta post and she giggled, squealed and rolled her eyes on stage in a ritual of newly-wed-looking coyness as she mentioned ‘My husband, the father of my very sweet and exciting children’ like a besotted bride and fan.
“There was the two-arm extended embrace and kiss on stage to make Harry look like the home-coming hero and then there was Meghan’s intense body language behaviours of love as they sat together in the audience watching the opening ceremony.”
Judi continued: “Meghan has previously focused her signals of love, support and appreciation of effort and triumph at the Invictus competitors but here her congratulatory ‘seal clapping’, her mouth-crumpled expressions of pride and her attention and attachment signals were primarily all aimed at Harry.”
At the ceremony, Judi said the couple were exhibiting “newlywed behaviours” with frequent arm-clinging and Meghan’s head often resting on Harry’s shoulder “as though she was on a date night”.