Royal | News - Prince Ricardo De La Cerda
Prince Harry spent the night of his 40th birthday away from Meghan Markle after Express.co.uk revealed exclusively last month that he would be taking a trip to the Californian mountains to mark the special occasion.
Before his big 40th birthday on September 15, it was exclusively revealed by the Express that the Duke was to enjoy a getaway in the mountains in Montecito with a few of his closest mates.
The source said the trip would involve a hike to the Montecito peak, which is part of the Cold Spring Trail in California, just a few miles from the mansion he shares with wife Meghan and their two children, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3.
However, The Daily Mail has now claimed that the getaway began on Harry’s birthday, with the Duke opting to spend the night of his 40th away with his friends as opposed to with his wife Meghan, 43.
Sources close to the couple have said that Meghan, who was last seen before Harry’s big day, booked the trip for her husband.
This news comes after rumours are swirling about the state of the couple’s marriage as Harry has spent the last few weeks on a number of solo trips.
The Duke most recently visited the UK and Africa for various engagements, with Meghan Markle reportedly staying at the couple’s Montecito mansion with the children instead of being at Harry’s side.
The Daily Mail also said that sources claimed the pair were not spending as much time together earlier this year.
One source reportedly told The Sun that she was barely staying at their home in Montecito for periods of time earlier this year, while the prince was said to have been “moping around” by himself at a local cafe.