Prince Harry 'crashes' Meghan's female empowerment event

Prince Harry “crashed” his wife Meghan Markle’s engagement at a female empowerment event today.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, 35 and 38 respectively, arrived at Windsor Castle for a roundtable discussion on gender equality and inclusion with the Queen's Commonwealth Trust and One Young World charity.

The event, publicly announced yesterday, was supposed to be a solo engagement for the duchess.

Yet Prince Harry made a surprise appearance, driving his wife into the grounds of Windsor Castle. He was driving an electric Audi E-Troncar, known to have a lower carbon footprint – likely a nod to the couple’s activism surrounding environmentally friendly travel, an initiative they have faced criticism for in the past in light of their private jet usage.

READ MORE: Meghan Markle wears red leather skirt for roundtable discussion at Windsor Castle

Duchess Meghan explained to the panel that Harry’s unscheduled appearance made a valuable statement to highlight the importance of men’s involvement in female empowerment issues.

“Thank you for letting him crash the party,” Meghan tells the panel in footage from the event. "Gender equality, which has been something I've championed for quite a long time, I think that that conversation can't happen without men being part of it.

She adds: “This is something that is also key to how my husband feels. [Harry's] been working in this space since 2013, which I think a lot of people don't notice as much, but I think that's what's really important.

"You can't have a conversation about women empowerment with just women.

"So for this reason it made complete sense to let him (Harry) join today so thank you for letting him crash the party."

READ MORE: Prince William 'worried' about Harry after ITV documentary

"It is so important to have women in decision making and policy changing positions, as it really does affect the whole community, the whole country,” the Duke remarked during the panel discussion.

Social media users are praising Harry’s appearance at the event, joking that he is Meghan’s “chauffeur”.

Earlier this week, Meghan stepped out without Harry for the first time since the release of the ITV documentary where her and husband Prince Harry conducted emotional interviews detailing the pressures of royal life.

The duchess was glowing, sporting perfect curls as she arrived at the One Young World Summit Opening Ceremony Ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall in London.