EXCLUSIVE: Beaming Meghan Markle drives herself to Canadian airport in a Land Rover to pick up a friend on the same day that Harry made his first public appearance back in Britain since Megxit bombshell

• Meghan Markle was seen parked outside Victoria International Airport while waiting for a friend on Thursday in photos obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com
• The Duchess is believed to have driven her black Land Rover Discovery crossover to the airport from the $14million Vancouver Island mansion where she’s been holed up since before Christmas
• She maintained a low profile by donning a black beanie, over-sized sunglasses and fur-lined black parka 
• Meghan sat in the driver’s seat and chatted with a male companion, believed to be security, for about 10 minutes until her friend arrived
• A smile spread across her face when she spotted the unidentified blonde friend approaching the car 
• The pal slid into the backseat and gave Meghan a hug before the duchess put the car in gear and drove off 
• The sighting came just over a week after Meghan and Prince Harry announced that they would be quitting their duties as senior royals and splitting their time between the United Kingdom and North America
• Earlier on Thursday Harry made his first public appearance since the Megxit bombshell as he attended the draw for the Rugby League World Cup at Buckingham Palace in London 

Meghan Markle took full advantage of her newfound independence as she drove herself to a Canadian airport on Thursday to pick up a pal.  

The Duchess of Sussex is seen in photos obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com parked outside Victoria International Airport in a Land Rover Discovery on Thursday afternoon. 

She appeared to be in high spirits as she chatted with a male companion in the front seat, believed to be personal security, for about 10 minutes until her friend arrived. 

The sighting came just over a week after Meghan and Prince Harry announced that they would be quitting their duties as senior royals and splitting their time between the United Kingdom and North America. 

Meghan is believed to have driven herself to the airport from the palatial $14million Canadian mansion on Vancouver Island where she’s been holed up since before Christmas.  

Meghan Markle took full advantage of her newfound independence as she drove herself to Victoria International Airport on Thursday to pick up a pal

Meghan appeared to be in high spirits as she chatted with a male companion in the front seat, believed to be a security officer

Meghan maintained a low profile by donning a black beanie, over-sized sunglasses and fur-lined black parka

Meghan was believed to have driven her black Land Rover Discovery from the palatial $14million Canadian mansion on Vancouver Island where she’s been holed up since before Christmas

The Duchess of Sussex waited outside Arrivals for about 10 minutes before her unidentified pal arrived 

Meghan maintained a low profile by donning a black beanie, over-sized sunglasses and fur-lined black parka.  

She removed the sunglasses for a brief moment before putting them back on to block out the harsh late-day sun. 

A smile spread across her face when she spotted her friend approaching the car with a suitcase and tote bag in tow. 

The friend slipped into the backseat of the crossover before reaching over to hug Meghan in the driver’s seat.  

It’s unclear where the trio were headed off to when they left the airport – but Meghan’s broad grin indicated she was excited about the destination.  

Meghan removed her sunglasses for a brief moment before putting them back on to block out the harsh late-day sun

A smile spread across Meghan’s face when she spotted her friend approaching the car

The unidentified friend emerged from the terminal pushing a black roller bag with a black tote slung over her shoulder

Meghan’s pal excitedly greeted the Duchess as she climbed into the backseat of the crossover 

Meghan reached over her seat to embrace her pal before departing from the airport 

It’s unclear where the trio were headed off to when they left the airport – but Meghan’s broad grin indicated she was excited about the destination

Meghan checked her side mirror before pulling out into traffic as she and her entourage left the airport

The Duchess of Sussex broke cover on Tuesday for the first time since her bombshell announcement when she left the Vancouver Island mansion to visit a women’s shelter in Canada’s poorest neighborhood.   

Harry is expected to join Meghan in Canada soon, after spending time in Britain to work out the terms for the couple quitting during a summit with the Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William at Sandringham on Monday.   

He made his first public appearance since the Megxit bombshell at the draw for the Rugby League World Cup at Buckingham Palace on Thursday – which could also mark his final royal duty. 

Harry reportedly raced through the launch of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup – dodging any questions about his future at a highly-orchestrated Buckingham Palace event. 

Harry and Meghan’s Instagram account Sussex Royal, one of the key parts of their brand going forward, marked the occasion by releasing an Instagram story showing the grinning prince larking around behind the scenes. 

And in what could be interpreted as nod to his imminent exit to North America, the soundtrack was the Stone Roses’ indie hit This Is the One, which contains the lyrics: ‘I’d like to leave the country for a month of Sundays’. 

Furious Buckingham Palace officials claimed Harry had no input in the choice of song, insisting that it was picked by event organizers. It is not yet clear whether or not the song will be the theme for the 2021 event. 

Sources close to the Duke said that the royal team had no involvement in the choice of music, which had been suggested by the rugby league side of Thursday’s event because it was ‘an anthem’ of the sport.   

Harry’s Instagram story marking what could be his last event as a senior royal gave fans a behind-the-scene glimpse before the Rugby League World Cup 2020 draw set to a Stone Roses hit with lyrics: ‘I’d like to leave the country’

Harry managed to crack a wry smile after mixing the balls as he hosted the Rugby League World Cup 2021 draws at Buckingham Palace in what could be his final full royal engagement in his current role

Also on Thursday, DailyMail.com obtained exclusive photos of Meghan’s ex-husband Trevor Engelson visiting a hair salon in Beverly Hills.  

It marked the first time Engelson had been photographed in public in several months and since Meghan and Harry’s announcement.   

Engleson politely declined to comment on the royal drama as he left the salon and got into his Porsche 911.   

The 43-year-old Hollywood producer from from Great Neck, New York, began dating Meghan in 2004 before she became famous on Suits. They dated for six years before getting engaged in 2010.

The couple married in Jamaica in September, 2011 in front of 100 family members and friends.

But within weeks of their wedding Meghan won her break-out role on TV legal drama ‘Suits,’ and spent months each year filming in Toronto, Canada while Engelson stayed at their home in Los Angeles.

The distance eventually took its toll and they separated in the summer of 2013.

Their marriage officially ended in 2014 with ‘irreconcilable differences’ cited in their divorce papers. 

Engelson has since moved on, however, marrying nutritionist and heiress Tracey Kurland, 33, on May 11 last year, almost exactly a year after Meghan and Prince Harry tied the knot. 

Meghan Markle’s ex-husband Trevor Engelson stopped by a hair salon in Beverly Hills for an appointment on Thursday. It was the first time he’d been seen since his ex-wife’s bombshell announcement that she and Prince Harry are quitting senior royal duties and moving to North America part-time

Engleson politely declined to comment on the Royal drama as left a hair salon in Beverly Hills on Thursday

The Hollywood producer was casually dressed in a back waffle-knit pull-over, black pants and black sneakers as he pulled up to the salon in his Porsche 911 

Engelson and Meghan (left in 2010) began dating in 2004, married in 2011 and divorced in 2014. The producer has since moved on, marrying nutritionist and heiress Tracey Kurland (right together) last May

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