Meghan Markle Spotted at Dinner With Prince William’s Friend’s Fiancée Amid Buzz Over New Moves
Meghan Markle has once again captured headlines after being seen at a glittering Los Angeles dinner alongside Maria Sharapova, who is engaged to Prince William’s longtime friend, Alexander Gilkes. The Duchess of Sussex appeared radiant as she joined a room filled with powerful women in business, fashion, and entertainment for a night celebrating female ambition and collaboration.
The exclusive event, titled A Seat at the Table, took place on October 16 at the stylish home of designer Kelly Wearstler. Hosted by entrepreneur Emma Grede, best known as a founding partner of Kim Kardashian’s Skims and CEO of Good American — the dinner brought together some of the most influential women in Hollywood and beyond.
As Ever, Meghan Markle’s growing lifestyle brand, proudly sponsored the evening’s wine selection. Guests were treated to a plant-based gourmet meal crafted by chef Camilla Marcus, highlighting sustainability and elegance two values close to Meghan’s heart.
Video clips shared by the official As Ever Instagram account showed Meghan warmly mingling with attendees, her smile lighting up the event. She appeared completely at ease, chatting with guests and embracing her new role as a lifestyle entrepreneur. The Duchess, who has been making steady moves to reestablish her public presence after stepping back from royal duties, looked confident and happy among her fellow trailblazers.
Among those in attendance were celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe, makeup mogul Danessa Myricks, former U.S. ambassador Nicole Avant, influencer Chriselle Lim, and marketing powerhouse Bozoma Saint John. The guest list read like a who’s who of influential women redefining success in their respective industries.
However, what truly drew attention was the presence of former tennis champion Maria Sharapova. The athlete, who now juggles motherhood and entrepreneurship, attended the dinner with her fiancé Alexander Gilkes — a close friend of Prince William and a familiar face within royal circles.
Gilkes, an Eton-educated art dealer and co-founder of the auction house Paddle8, has long been part of the Duke of Cambridge’s inner circle. His relationship with Sharapova has attracted royal watchers’ curiosity, given his history of moving in elite British social circles. The couple welcomed their first child in 2022, and their connection adds an intriguing royal-adjacent layer to the evening’s guest list.
Sharapova’s attendance, alongside Meghan Markle, sparked renewed interest in how the Duchess continues to intersect with individuals close to the British royals despite her physical and professional distance from the monarchy. Observers couldn’t help but note the subtle irony of Meghan dining alongside the fiancée of one of William’s closest friends — a quiet reminder of how intertwined her world remains with the royal family she left behind.
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Emma Grede shared her thoughts on the empowering evening via Instagram, posting, “In a city built on big dreams and even bigger ambition, one truth remains that success is never built alone.” Her words seemed to echo Meghan’s own message about collaboration, growth, and resilience, themes she has consistently championed through her ventures and public appearances.
The dinner also comes amid speculation that Meghan is preparing a major rebranding effort for As Ever, following in the footsteps of successful women-led wellness and lifestyle empires. Insiders believe she is positioning herself to dominate the American luxury lifestyle market, drawing inspiration from industry leaders like Gwyneth Paltrow and Oprah Winfrey.
The Duchess’s reemergence in L.A.’s high-profile social scene signals a new phase of visibility for her, one that blends sophistication with substance. By aligning herself with powerful, self-made women, Meghan seems intent on reshaping her image as not just a former royal but a thriving entrepreneur with a strong voice in business and philanthropy.
Her attendance at the dinner marks another strategic step in reinforcing her network among Los Angeles elites while maintaining subtle ties to familiar royal connections through figures like Gilkes. As one observer put it, “Meghan knows exactly what she’s doing and she’s rewriting her story, one elegant dinner at a time.”
With As Ever gaining traction and Meghan’s influence in Hollywood circles expanding, her latest appearance underscores that the Duchess of Sussex remains one of the most talked-about women in both royal and celebrity worlds.
