Is Meghan’s make-up artist Daniel Martin ditching her for Hollywood stars? Duchess’s ‘best friend’ hasn’t worked with her in two years – and says she ‘did her own make-up on Nigeria tour’

Often described as Meghan’s best friend, as well as a ‘guncle’ to Archie and Lilibet, Daniel Martin has been at the Duchess of Sussex’s side throughout her royal career.

The celebrity make-up artist cemented himself in the history books when he did Meghan’s make-up for her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018 – and worked with her at several events during her two years as a working royal.

But it appears Daniel, 51, is now distancing himself from Meghan, who did her own hair and makeup during her recent quasi-royal tour to Nigeria.

The New York beautician certainly still works with megastars.

His recent Instagram posts feature collaborations with Rachel McAdams, as well as girl of the moment Nicola Coughlan, Olivia Munn, Ali Wong and Maya Rudolph.

So why hasn’t he worked with Meghan in two years, despite claiming he’s ‘always in contact with her’?

Daniel cemented himself in the history books when he did Meghan’s make-up for her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018 – and worked with her at several events during her two years as a working royal. Meghan is pictured on her wedding day in 2018, when Daniel had his make-up done

The pair are said to have last worked together in May 2022, when Meghan and Harry visited the Netherlands for the Invictus Games.

But despite touring Nigeria, launching a lifestyle brand and making several red carpet and TV appearances, Daniel and Meghan haven’t worked together in the past two years.

Speaking to US Weekly earlier this month, Daniel said Meghan has “more room to play.”

“She is currently in Nigeria. It’s just her. There is no stylist, there is no hairdresser. She does everything herself and is so good at it.’

“I mean, she likes a little blush. She likes the cheek. She likes big eyebrows.’

Lately, Daniel has struck up a friendship with Brigerton star Nicole Coughlan – who he describes as a ‘sister’.

He recently did her makeup for the Brigerton premiere, the Big Mood premiere and her Town & Country cover.

The pair, pictured together, are said to have last worked together in May 2022, when Meghan and Harry visited the Netherlands for the Invictus Games.

Meghan is pictured in Nigeria, where she did her own makeup and worked without a stylist

Daniel also worked with Olivia Munn for her Vogue shoot, while he also worked with Maya Rudolph at the Time 100 Gala and with Dakota Johnson, Michelle Yeoh and Cindy Crawford.

Daniel is said to have known Meghan for more than a decade, having met her while the former actress was working on Suits.

Without a publicist, Meghan personally contacted Daniel’s agent at The Wall Group — and he described how they both had an “instant connection.”

“I knew what she wanted — it was one of those things where she looked at herself in the mirror and said, ‘Oh my God, this is what I always wanted, but I didn’t know how to get there,'” he shared the publication.

The pair then kept in touch and while working on her former blog The Tig, Meghan asked Daniel to lend her a helping hand.

He stayed in touch with and was present with the Duchess throughout her life in the royal family Meghan’s side on her wedding day as he perfected her makeup.

Meghan will be seen at the Invictus Games in 2022, when she is believed to have last worked with Martin

He also attended her famous baby shower in New York, along with celebrities like Gayle King and Serena Williams.

He was one of the first to visit the Duke and Duchess of Sussex when they moved to Frogmore Cottage shortly before Archie’s birth.

The royal family also surprised Daniel in New York for his birthday last September, with the makeup artist revealing the news by sharing a photo of a plate of cupcakes on Instagram.

The accompanying message was another indication of the closeness of their friendship, with the make-up artist referring to the Duchess of Sussex by her nickname ‘Meg’.

Meanwhile, Daniel collaborated with a host of Hollywood stars, including girl of the moment Nicola Coughlan

Maya Rudolph is another of Daniel’s clients

The make-up artist has often spoken about his royal connection, previously telling Grazia magazine: ‘Meghan makes me go on YouTube to learn things. She’ll say, ‘Oh, I’m following this person and they did it this way,’ and I’ll say, ‘Oh, okay.'”

He previously told Harper’s Bazaar that he was too busy to travel to London before the Duchess’s wedding, so they had no opportunity to try out the look beforehand – despite some 17 million people tuning in to see the big day, so the couple worked together to plan the makeup. up via Zoom.

Daniel chose a natural look for the Duchess due to different lighting situations during the day.

And for her evening reception look, a Stella McCartney dress, he opted for a darker makeup look and added definition to the eyes.