Meghan Markle joins friend Oprah Winfrey for California book club event - with Harry making brief cameo

The star-studded event attracted a number of high-profile attendees, including actor Marco Leone and author Laura Lynne Jackson.

The gathering took place on the eve of the second anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's passing, adding a more poignant note to the occasion.

Goodmothers bookstore, co-owned by literary agent Jennifer Rudolph Walsh, recently celebrated its grand opening weekend with a series of events and conversations featuring celebrities and authors.

Prince Harry also made a brief cameo, albeit not in flesh form, as his face appeared on the cover of his controversial memoir "Spare" alongside other popular celebrity books that could be seen in the background

Meghan was warmly received at the event with Laura Lynne Jackson praising the Duchess's contribution to the evening.

The bookstore's owner has reportedly hailed Prince Harry as a "hometown author", highlighting the Sussexes' connection to the local community.

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Winfrey has been close friends with Meghan for several years now and was a guest at the royal wedding in May 2018. It was in March 2021, when the US TV host sat down with the couple for an 85-minute tell-all interview that aired on primetime TV, in which the couple made a number of damaging allegations about the Royal Family.

The Duchess of Sussex claimed in the interview she had to turn over her passport, driver's licence, keys and other personal belongings when she moved into the confines of Nottingham Cottage in the grounds of Kensington Palace.

Speaking in 2021, she said: "I left the house twice in four months...I couldn't feel lonelier."

The other big moment from the interview was the Sussexes' suggestion that the Royal Family was collectively racist, accusing one unnamed member who, they alleged, had speculated about the colour of their son Archie's skin when Meghan was pregnant.

Meanwhile, Prince Harry accused members of The Firm of jealousy towards Meghan for the "effortless" manner in which Meghan had captivated the public during their tour of the Commonwealth and "how good she was at the job."

It was the first time he admitted he and Prince William were at odds saying that, "he loved him to bits", but that, "we're on different paths".

He also described the then Prince Charles and William as "trapped" adding "they don't get to leave and I have compassion for that".