Meghan Markle looks pretty in pink as she parties the night away without Prince Harry for a special occasion

Are we charmed by Meghan Markle again? While her husband has been busy doing solo rounds on the global do-gooder circuit, the Duchess of Sussex spent her evening at an all-pink soiree. But it’s not the absence of her royal plus one that has everyone talking; it’s her outfit.

Decked out in a salmon-pink midi dress by Posse, Meghan brought her A-game to the party—a baby shower for her friend Samantha Stone. Meghan’s look, perfectly coordinated with the party’s theme, gave a “California glow” in every sense. Loose waves in her hair, gold accessories sparkling in the light, and that polished yet relaxed energy she’s mastered since stepping back from royal life. If she was missing Harry, it sure didn’t show.

Her longtime bestie, Kelly McKee Zajfen, who wore a chic pink tweed mini dress, captured the duchess in her element. In the Instagram photo, Meghan can be seen mid-laugh, her hand placed effortlessly on her hip, giving off the energy of someone who just heard the punchline to a joke no one else gets. Kelly gushed about the event in her caption. She called it a celebration of “sweet baby girl coming oh so soon” and even dubbed herself “Auntie Kelly.” But the comments section wasn’t exactly focused on baby talk. The fans wanted to know all about Meghan. Where’s Harry? What does this mean? Is Meghan stepping back into her own spotlight? Speculations have been flying faster than a Wimbledon serve. And it’s not hard to see why.

This isn’t the first time Meghan has been seen flying solo recently. In fact, her social calendar is giving off major independent-woman energy. She dazzled at the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital Gala in a fire-engine red Carolina Herrera gown. Then came the sleek Khaite bustier and pants at her hairdresser’s product launch, where she casually moonlighted as an investor. And let’s not forget her old Hollywood moment in a strapless Oscar de la Renta at Tyler Perry‘s Paley Center honors. Meghan’s recent appearances have been one long reel of “This is what success and freedom look like.”

Meanwhile, Harry has been racking up his frequent flyer miles, crisscrossing the globe for causes like mental health and wildlife conservation. While their paths have crossed physically, Meghan’s staying local and doubling down on her West Coast connections. It’s not just baby showers and glam events—there’s a strategy here. Meghan’s appearances are polished, deliberate, and designed to scream, “I’m not just thriving—I’m winning.”

What makes this pink-themed party particularly spicy is the timing. It’s no secret that Harry and Meghan have been trading their duo routine for individual pursuits lately. Rumors swirl about the state of their marriage, but Meghan isn’t exactly hiding under the covers with a pint of ice cream. No, she’s out here laughing, dancing, and redefining what a post-royal glow-up looks like.

The duchess’s reinvention continues to be a spectacle in itself. She is proving her story isn’t over—it’s just getting started. She’s happy to sip champagne, don a salmon dress, and dance the night away with her A-list circle. Prince or no prince, Meghan’s reign over the headlines is far from over.