Meghan Markle joins Oprah for rare public outing after opening up about 'chapter of joy'

Meghan Markle made a surprise visit to her friend Oprah Winfrey's book club session weeks after opening up about her "chapter of joy".

The Duchess was one of the speakers at the bookstore in Summerland, California last night - which is located close to her Montecito mansion.

It comes after Meghan spoke in Colombia last month about her "chapter of joy" and how "grateful" she is of her life in the States with Prince Harry and their children.

In pictures from the book event, the bookstore appears to be promoting some popular celebrity books including Meghan's children's book The Bench and Harry's memoir, Spare.

Author, teacher and psychic medium Laura Lynne Jackson was also at the event and described Meghan as one of the evening's "light-filled speakers".

Literary agent Jennifer Rudolph Walsh, who co-owns the bookstore, spoke about the books on display, which includes Harry and Meghan's respective books.

She said: "This is our local authors shelf when you first walk in.

"I want it to be when you first walk in so that authors who are local to the area know that this is their hometown bookstore.

"And we celebrate our hometown authors as if they were our hometown heroes, because to us they are."

Meghan and Oprah have maintained a close friendship for several years, with Winfrey attending Meghan and Harry's royal wedding in May 2018.

In March 2021, Winfrey conducted the infamous interview with the Sussexes where they made several allegations about the Royal Family.

Winfrey also offered her thoughts on whether the couple should attend King Charles' coronation in May 2023.

On CBS Morning, she said: "I think they should do what they feel is best for them and their family. That's what I think."