The Duchess of Sussex, 43, is a proud advocate for freckles and is said to consider them her ‘favourite feature’ – even writing her first book on the subject.

Meghan and her husband Prince Harry attended a welcome party in Whistler before going tubing and meeting excited members of the public during their visit to Canada.

According to journalist Elizabeth Holmes, the Sussexes spent a ‘long time chatting’ and were ‘always willing to stop and say hello’.

Speaking to two young boys clad in skiing gear, who appeared to ask the Duchess about her freckles, Meghan shared some words of wisdom – which she’s in the past credited to her now-estranged father, Thomas Markle.

She told the young boys: ‘You know what they say? A face without freckles is a night without stars.’

They then appeared to discuss winter sports, as Meghan said: ‘Ah, you didn’t have enough momentum!’

 

The freckles saying is clearly one Meghan is fond of, and as a teenager she even penned a children’s story titled ‘A Face without Freckles Is A Night Without Stars’.

Meghan Markle shared an inspiring message about her freckles as she spoke with a young boy at the Invictus Games yesterday

Meghan has previously admitted the saying was first introduced to her by her father, Thomas Markle, with whom she’s no longer in contact – and has never met either her husband or her children.

Thomas, a retired lighting director, has not spoken to his youngest daughter since 2018, despite allegedly making multiple attempts to reach out.

It’s thought that their relationship first became strained when he posed for paparazzi photographs prior to Meghan’s royal wedding in 2018.

The 80-year-old also suffered a heart attack just before the ceremony, preventing him from walking his daughter down the aisle.

Their relationship hasn’t always been that way, and a blog post from the Duchess of Sussex’s now-defunct website The Tig revealed the affection that she once held for her ‘hardworking daddy’ before he was shut out of her life.

Meghan even submitted her freckles book to the US Copyright Office on January 18, 1996 when she was 15 – and praised her parents in a personalised message.

Meghan has continued her writing spirit over the years, going on to release children’s book The Bench in 2021, which became a Sunday Times bestseller.

Her first children’s book was written when she was at Immaculate Heart High School in Los Angeles, California, aged 13 or 14.

The Duchess of Sussex , 43, is a proud advocate for freckles and is said to consider them her ‘favourite feature’
The freckles saying is clearly one Meghan is fond of, and as a teenager she even penned a children’s story titled ‘A Face without Freckles Is A Night Without Stars’
Meghan told the young boys: ‘You know what they say? A face without freckles is a night without stars’

She wrote: ‘Some people think freckles are strange, while I happen to disagree, because if I didn’t have freckles, then I would not truly be me!!!’

At the back of the book in a message about the author it revealed she wrote the piece as part of a school project.

It said: ‘Meghan Markle currently attends Immaculate Heart High School in Los Angeles, California and enjoys watching television, spending time with her friends, and participating in musical comedies.

‘Meghan wrote this book in the eight grade as a school project and now wishes to continue writing throughout high school.

She wants to take a moment to thank her ”mommy” and ”daddy” who gratefully spent their time and effort supporting her.’

Meghan has also in the past expressed her ‘pet peeve’ that photo studios would airbrush out her freckles and ‘whitewash’ her skin.

Speaking to Allure Magazine in 2017 after going public with her romance with Harry, Meghan said: ‘Was I Latina? Sephardic? ‘Exotic Caucasian’? Add the freckles to the mix and it created quite the conundrum.’

Meghan, who starred in popular US drama Suits, was born to an African-American mother and Caucasian father.

Meghan has previously admitted the saying was first introduced to her by her father, Thomas Markle, with whom she’s no longer in contact
Meghan’s first children’s book was written when she was at Immaculate Heart High School in Los Angeles, California, aged 13 or 14
At the back of the book in a message about the author it revealed she wrote the piece as part of a school project
Doria is snapped alongside Harry and Meghan at the Ms. Foundation Women of Vision Awards last May

Once again, gave advice to young ‘freckle-faced friends out there’ who might be struggling to embrace their identity to listen to the advice she received from her father: ‘A face without freckles is a night without stars.’’

Meghan’s make-up artist Daniel Martin previously revealed that he would aim to ensure the Duchess’s freckles stood out using a ‘secret technique’, as they are her ‘favourite feature’.

The expert explained how he uses a ‘selective placement of foundation’, applying the base like a spot treatment.

Daniel, who was responsible for Meghan’s make-up on her wedding day, then uses a blending brush to even it out.

However, he also revealed that Meghan often likes to do her own make-up for high-profile events, rather than enlisting professional help, such as during her tour to Nigeria last year.

Daniel appears not to have worked with Meghan for a couple of years, despite being described as her ‘best friend’ and ‘gungle’ to Archie and Lilibet.

The pair are believe to have last worked together in May 2022, when Meghan and Harry visited the Netherlands for the Invictus Games.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the Hillcrest Recreation Centre during the 2025 Invictus Games in Vancouver, Canada

Daniel, 51, might now be moving away from Meghan, who did her own hair and make-up during her recent quasi-royal tour to Nigeria

Daniel cemented himself in the history books when he did Meghan’s make-up for her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018 – and worked alongside her at various events in her two years as a working royal. Meghan is pictued on her wedding day in 2018 – when he make-up was done by Daniel

But despite a tour of Nigeria, launching a lifestyle brand, and various red carpet and TV appearances, in those last two years, Daniel and Meghan haven’t worked together.

Speaking to US Weekly, Daniel said that Meghan has ‘more room to play’.

‘She’s in Nigeria right now. It’s just her. There’s no stylist, there’s no hairdresser. She’s doing everything herself and she’s so good at it.’

‘I mean, she loves some blush. She loves the cheek. She loves a big brow.’

Instead, he’s enjoyed collaborations with Rachel McAdams, as well as girl of the moment Nicola Coughlan, Olivia Munn, Ali Wong and Maya Rudolph.

After spending a whirlwind few days at Invictus with Harry, Meghan is set to pull out to fly home to California to see her children Archie, five, and Lilibet, three.

Aides said she had always planned to leave Prince Harry to continue solo at the games. She was previously spotted laughing while on a rubber dinghy in the snow.

There are no plans for Meghan, 43, to fly back from Los Angeles to Vancouver for the conclusion of the events for injured and disabled military veterans at the weekend.

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.’

Meghan will attend morning sporting events being held in the upmarket ski resort of Whistler.

She will be driven the 110 miles back to Vancouver and fly back to her home in Montecito, California.

Harry is due to attend three events and brave freezing temperatures of up to -11.

Prince Harry proved he does not need Meghan to pull a crowd of fans as he was mobbed when he arrived for an Invictus Games ceremony on Whistler mountain
Harry is pictured beaming earlier today at the Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding Novice Finals
The Duke of Sussex spotted attending a tubing event at the 2025 Invictus Games
The Duke of Sussex tries his hand at Tubing during the Friends and Family Tubing Event
The Duke Sussex with competitors at the Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding Novice Finals
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend a Family and Friends Tubing event
Meghan was previously spotted laughing while on a rubber dinghy in the snow

Prince Harry proved he does not need Meghan to pull a crowd of fans as he was mobbed when he arrived for an Invictus Games ceremony on Whistler mountain.

Fans jostled to get close to Harry and take a photo as he made his way up the slopes in bright sunshine.

His bodyguard Chris Sanchez, a former US Presidential Secret Service agent, struggled to help Harry through the crowds.

It was Harry’s first solo appearance at the games as Meghan is returning to California to be with her children Archie and Lilibet.

He will attend other events on his own before the closing ceremony on Sunday.

Prince Harry and Meghan had an early Valentine’s dinner date with close friends Michael Buble and his wife Luisana.

The two couples spent over two hours at an Italian restaurant after they completed their first full day of engagements in the ski resort.

The dinner date was at the upmarket Il Caminetto where they spent Valentine’s Day last year during a two-day event to promote the Invictus Games.

Meghan wore diamond Maya Brenner earrings that Harry had given her as a surprise present last year.

She paired the earrings with a Carolina Herrera cape and Aquazzura pumps.

The prince claps at the the Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding Novice Finals
The Duke Sussex speaks with a competitor at the Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding Novice Finals
Meghan Markle is to pull out of the Invictus Games to fly home to California and see her children Archie and Lilibet
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend the Skeleton Finals during day two of the 2025 Invictus Games on February 10

Meghan Markle puts on loved-up display with Prince Harry at the Invictus Games opening ceremony

The Italian restaurant is considered one of the best and most expensive in the ski resort.

The couple have been warmly welcomed by friends and family of the competitors as well as skiers who are in the resort for a holiday.

They delighted a 1,000 strong crowd at a celebration event to open the games in Whistler where competitors will take part in adaptive winter sports, such as the skeleton and biathlon.

Harry joked that her would get Meghan to sing to the crowd after their close friend Canadian singer Michael Buble had serenaded the crowd gathered in the village square.

Harry and Meghan had been pictured sipping beer as they waited their turn to appear on the stage.

The former actress appeared to be sending a message to Donald Trump on Saturday night as she put on a very loved-up display with Prince Harry just hours after the US President had branded her ‘terrible’.

Meghan and Harry lovingly shared a kiss during the star-studded opening ceremony on Saturday night
The couple were smiling from ear to ear as they watched the Invictus opening ceremony in Vancouver
Donald Trump took a swipe at Meghan Markle earlier this week branding her a ‘terrible person’ as he declared had no plans to deport Prince Harry from the US amid a legal battle over his immigration status
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle speak at Invictus Games in Canada

Harry and Keg! Sussexes sip on beers before Meghan is dragged on stage to ‘sing’ by her husband

She packed on the PDA as she watched from the stands in Vancouver with her husband, snuggling into him before leaning in for a passionate kiss.

Her affection came shortly after Trump announced he had no plans to deport Harry from the US amid a legal battle over his immigration status because of his ‘problems with his wife’.

‘I don’t want to do that,’ Trump said on Friday. ‘I’ll leave him alone. He’s got enough problems with his wife. She’s terrible,’ he told the New York Post.

Trump’s criticism comes after Meghan delayed the release of her Netflix cookery show, With Love Meghan, from January until March due to the wildfires in LA.

She was expected to have a busy start to 2025, after relaunching her Instagram account and projects from her lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard, podcast and show all on the horizon.

Some critics questioned her motives for delaying her Netflix launch by two months – but insiders told PEOPLE Magazine it was an ‘easy decision’ for Meghan to make.

The Duke and Duchess previously dismissed allegations about their difficult behaviour towards staff made by Vanity Fair in January.

This year’s Games – which are the first to incorporate winter sports, are currently being held in Vancouver and Whistler, and are due to finish on February 16.

ITV was announced as the official UK broadcaster for the Games last month, with a deal to show nine days of highlights and the Opening Ceremony acts.

Harry told the crowd: ‘In this moment of difficulty and division in many parts of the world, we gather here in Vancouver in a spirit of unity. We represent 23 nations
Crowd cheer as Harry and Meghan ride golf cart to Invictus Games event

Meghan puts on a loved-up display with her husband at the Invictus Games opening ceremony

But frustrated fans took to social media over the weekend to complain that they were still unable to watch the events – with some even accusing the news corporation of trying to ‘sabotage’ the Sussexes.

Others claimed veterans were being ‘snubbed’ and that the coverage was ‘spitefully’ not being aired.

However, ITV have since confirmed that coverage was limited due to an agreement to only show highlights of the event and any delays were due to coordination and time zone issues.

They wrote on social media: ‘Hi there. Our coverage for the Invictus Games was limited to showing only the highlights of the event.

‘Due to coordination with the production team of the games and varying local time zones, there was a delay in making the highlights available on our service.’