Prince Harry & Meghan Markle Make Rare Appearance at Kevin Costner's One805 Event

They showed up arm-in-arm, dressed to impress, and ready to smile for the cameras — but not everyone was applauding. Continue reading for more details!

In an appearance that sent flashbulbs popping and tongues wagging, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped out in California sunshine to show their support for first responders — yet it wasn't just the charity crowd that took notice.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended the One805LIVE! 2025 charity concert on September 20 in Carpinteria, California, drawing a mix of adoration, scrutiny, and side-eye commentary from fans and critics alike.

A Night of Tribute and a Touch of Hollywood Glamour

The event supports One805, a nonprofit born from the ashes of the January 9, 2018, Montecito Mudflow — a catastrophic disaster that claimed 23 lives and wiped out hundreds of homes.

At the time, first responders had already been stretched thin battling the Thomas Fire, only to be called back into action when deadly mudslides engulfed the region. The heartbreaking ordeal inspired the formation of One805.

The nonprofit provides critical equipment, mental health support, and resources for Santa Barbara County's firefighters, police, and sheriff departments. Hollywood icon Kevin Costner, who also serves on the nonprofit's board, brought his star power to the stage — but it was the Sussexes who stole the spotlight.

Holding Hands and Turning Heads

Prince Harry, in a relaxed open-collar black shirt and textured navy blazer, was photographed chatting with Santa Barbara Police Chief Kelly Ann Gordon, exuding confidence and ease. Meghan, meanwhile, dazzled in a sleeveless navy belted shirt dress, gold bangles glinting under the lights.

Her signature loose waves framed a glowing smile as she stood by Harry's side. Later, the couple took center stage — literally. With his arm firmly around Meghan's waist, the Duke grinned as he addressed the cheering crowd, while the Duchess stood close, clutching his jacket and mirroring his joy in a coordinated dark ensemble.

Online Applause… and Unfiltered Shade

As expected, their appearance drew a wave of attention online, with social media reactions ranging from admiration to critique. One netizen wrote, "Don't mind haters, beautiful couple ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ [sic]," while another said, "Meghan looks stunning."

Others commented on their chemistry, with one person remarking, "They're so perfect!!" while another shared, "They're matching…How sweet. They look and healthy [sic]!❤️❤️❤️" Another added, "Good to see them out and about, supporting good causes and enjoying themselves."

But not everyone was clapping. Some took issue with Meghan's high heels, with one commenter sneering, "Who wears 4 inch heels to a field [sic]," while another deadpanned, "Interesting choice of shoes." Their trademark affection also sparked criticism.

"I've never seen a couple touch each other so much while out in public, honest question, why do they do that [sic]?" one person asked. And when Meghan joined Harry on stage, eyebrows raised. "Why she is on stage? Can't she let him doing alone [sic]," another netizen commented.

Love them or loathe them, Prince Harry and Meghan's appearance was anything but unnoticed. Their high-profile support of the One805LIVE! charity event was yet another signal of their deepening roots in Santa Barbara and their ongoing commitment to causes close to home.

However, their outing in Carpinteria wasn't the only headline-making appearance this year. Just months earlier, Meghan and Prince Harry turned heads at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, joining thousands of fans for Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter Tour.

The couple, often seen in more formal settings, embraced the concert's playful energy in full force, and the moment quickly made waves online.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were spotted dancing, smiling, and blending into the crowd during the high-energy performance.

Later, a behind-the-scenes photo of the couple appeared on Beyoncé's official website. It showed Meghan and Harry cozied up in the VIP lounge, beaming as they watched the pop icon perform.

Meghan also shared a glimpse into their night via Instagram, posting a carousel of intimate snapshots. In one, Harry kissed her cheek while standing among the swaying crowd.

Other photos gave fans a glimpse of the couple's outfit. The Duchess wore a fitted denim dress with minimal makeup and loose waves for the occasion, leaning into the show's Western theme with a light-hearted, relaxed style.

Harry complemented her look in a black T-shirt, jeans, and a gray jacket, which he topped off with a dark green cowboy hat.

The hat itself sparked special interest. Meghan revealed a close-up of its inner brim, which featured a custom monogram — the names of their children, Archie and Lili, alongside "My Love," Harry's nickname for her. The detail also included U.S. and U.K. flags, reflecting the couple's bicontinental ties.

"About last night... Thank you Beyoncé and team for an amazing concert (and a very fun date night) All love," Meghan captioned her post. One clip showed her cheering as Beyoncé rode a floating American-style car across the stage.

Another image captured her wearing Harry's hat while dancing, adding to the evening's joyful, casual tone. However, as with many public appearances by the royal couple, the reaction online was swift and varied.

Some fans focused on the Duke's appearance. "Harry totally has a broken nose in this picture," observed one user. Another asked, "What happened to his nose?" A third person echoed, "Harry looks so different." Another noted, "Top of his nose is still red. Did he break it or something?"

Others turned their attention to fashion. Criticism ranged from confusion to disapproval. "I don't understand what she is wearing," one person wrote. "In addition to her clothes never fitting her properly, she's never dressed right for the occasion."

Another commented, "I'm confused as to what event they both individually thought they were getting dressed for. Because together it looks weird."

Amid the scrutiny, one user offered a neutral take, writing, "Beautiful dress! Harry looks like he was gardening and was led into a waiting car by one of those LED cat laser toys."

Despite the mixed commentary, the evening provided a rare, relaxed glimpse of the couple enjoying a night out. While Meghan and Prince Harry's concert night out captured the public's attention, it also offered a glimpse into a deeper theme emerging in their relationship.

In March, Meghan revealed to People that she and Harry have entered what she called a second "honeymoon period," despite having been married for seven years. The Duchess attributed the renewed spark between them to her recent professional ventures.

She spoke about how launching her new lifestyle brand, As Ever, and working on her upcoming Netflix series, "With Love, Meghan," had reignited her creative energy. That return to passion, she suggested, brought her and Harry closer.

Meghan explained that Harry first met her when she was running The Tig, her now-closed lifestyle blog. "I see this spark in his eye when he sees me doing the thing that I was doing when he first met me," she said.

She described it as feeling almost like a return to the early days of their relationship. According to Meghan, Harry enjoys watching her immersed in her creative process: writing, editing, and shaping ideas, just as much as she enjoys doing it. "It's just been fun," she added. "This is who I've always been."

That sentiment carried over into her first-ever podcast interview, featured on "The Jamie Kern Lima Show." In the candid conversation, Meghan called Harry "such a great partner" and said that she now feels she is truly able to enjoy him.

"Seven years later, when you have a little bit of breathing space, you can just enjoy each other in a new way," she said.

She went on to express how her affection for Harry has only grown. With a light-hearted tone, she described being more in love than ever, even jokingly calling her husband a "fox." "If you haven't noticed," she added, "my husband is very, very handsome."

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's appearance at Beyoncé's concert wasn't just a public outing — it reflected a private bond that, according to Meghan, has grown stronger with time.