Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made a rare public appearance together, arriving arm-in-arm, dressed elegantly, and ready to face the cameras. However, their presence did not receive unanimous praise. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended the One805LIVE! 2025 charity concert on September 20 in Carpinteria, California. The event was held to support One805, a nonprofit organization established after the devastating Montecito Mudflow on January 9, 2018.

That disaster claimed 23 lives and destroyed hundreds of homes. At the time, first responders were already heavily engaged fighting the Thomas Fire before being called to respond to the deadly mudslides. This tragic event led to the founding of One805, which provides critical equipment, mental health support, and other resources to firefighters, police, and sheriff departments in Santa Barbara County. Hollywood actor Kevin Costner, a member of the nonprofit’s board, headlined the event, but much of the public’s attention was focused on Harry and Meghan.

Prince Harry wore a casual open-collar black shirt paired with a textured navy blazer, and was seen speaking comfortably with Santa Barbara Police Chief Kelly Ann Gordon. Meghan Markle chose a sleeveless navy belted shirt dress, accessorized with gold bangles. Her loose waves and warm smile completed her look. The couple later took the stage together. Harry put his arm around Meghan’s waist as he spoke to the crowd, while Meghan stood close by, holding onto his jacket and sharing his joy.

The couple’s appearance sparked a range of reactions online, from admiration to criticism. Many praised their chemistry and appearance, with comments like “beautiful couple” and “they look healthy.” Others appreciated their public support of a good cause.

However, some social media users criticized Meghan’s choice of high heels, questioning their practicality for the event’s outdoor setting. Others commented on the couple’s frequent public displays of affection, with one person asking why they touch so much in public. When Meghan joined Harry on stage, some viewers expressed surprise, questioning why she was present during his speech.

Despite mixed opinions, the appearance confirmed the couple’s increasing involvement in their Santa Barbara community and ongoing commitment to charitable causes. Earlier this year, Harry and Meghan made another headline-grabbing public appearance at Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour concert at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. The couple blended into the crowd, smiling and dancing alongside thousands of fans.

A behind-the-scenes photo from Beyoncé’s official website showed the couple enjoying the VIP lounge, with Meghan sharing a carousel of intimate snapshots from the night on Instagram. One image captured Harry kissing Meghan’s cheek amidst the crowd.

For the concert, Meghan wore a fitted denim dress with minimal makeup, embracing a casual Western theme, while Harry dressed in a black T-shirt, jeans, and a gray jacket, topped off with a dark green cowboy hat. The inside brim of the hat featured a custom monogram with the names of their children, Archie and Lili, as well as the phrase “My Love,” Harry’s nickname for Meghan, alongside the U.S. and U.K. flags, symbolizing their bicontinental family ties.

Meghan captioned her Instagram post, “About last night… Thank you Beyoncé and team for an amazing concert (and a very fun date night). All love.” Clips showed her cheering as Beyoncé performed, and another photo featured Meghan wearing Harry’s cowboy hat while dancing.

The couple’s concert appearance also drew mixed online reactions. Some fans noticed that Harry appeared to have a red or swollen nose in photos, leading to speculation about a possible injury. Others debated Meghan’s fashion choices, with some critics questioning whether her outfit was appropriate for the event.

Despite the critiques, the concert night gave the public a rare glimpse of the couple enjoying themselves in a relaxed setting. In March, Meghan revealed in an interview with People magazine that she and Harry have entered what she called a second “honeymoon period” after seven years of marriage. She credited this renewed closeness to her recent professional projects.

Meghan discussed how launching her lifestyle brand, As Ever, and working on her upcoming Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, reignited her creative energy and brought new passion into their relationship. She noted that Harry first met her when she was running her former lifestyle blog, The Tig, and that he enjoys seeing her engaged in her creative work.

Describing their current phase, Meghan said it feels like a return to the early days of their relationship. She shared that Harry enjoys watching her write, edit, and develop ideas, and that their partnership feels fun and renewed. Meghan also appeared on The Jamie Kern Lima Show podcast, where she called Harry “such a great partner” and said she now feels able to truly enjoy their relationship.

“Seven years later, when you have a little bit of breathing space, you can just enjoy each other in a new way,” she explained. Meghan expressed that her love for Harry has grown stronger over time and even jokingly called him a “fox,” praising his good looks. Their appearance at Beyoncé’s concert was more than just a public event — it reflected a deepening and more joyful bond between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.