Meghan and Harry’s aide Beth Herlihy, who played a stripper in a racy Hollyoaks spin-off and posed in a PVC body suit, joins Duke at Invictus Games

Prince Harry’s former actress wife Meghan Markle may have only arrived at the Invictus Games last night, but she wasn’t the only star from the small screen to join the Duke at the event.

Because the Duke and Duchess of Sussexes’ assistant Beth Herlihy, who once played the stripper Honey in Hollyoaks Later, sat side by side with Harry at an event in Dusseldorf yesterday.

Beth, who opted for a silky pink shirt for the occasion and is ‘programme co-ordinator’ for the couple, appeared in the racy spin-off of the Channel 4 soap under her stage name Bethan Coundley.

She also took part in several modeling shoots, including one in 2012, when she posed in a PVC bodysuit.

Yesterday she appeared close to Prince Harry as she chatted with the Duke.

Beth Herlihy, ‘program coordinator’ to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, has also taken part in several modeling shoots, including one in 2012 when she posed in a PVC bodysuit

Beth, 33, left her acting days behind in 2016 when she was hired as an events manager at the Royal Foundation, the joint charity vehicle of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Sussexes.

Beth put her acting days behind her in 2016 when she was hired as an events manager at the Royal Foundation, the joint charity vehicle for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Sussexes.

After the Sussexes split from the foundation in 2018, Beth remained with Harry and Meghan, but it was not believed she would play a significant role in the move to North America.

There was speculation that she helped organize the Duchess’s 2020 gatherings in Vancouver, including a visit to a women’s shelter.

However, her performance at the Games seems to prove otherwise.

It is not known whether she joined Prince Harry and Meghan on the first night of the Duchess’ Games last night, when she made her first speech at the event.

Meghan took center stage as she gave an emotional speech to 1,600 competitors, friends and family at a glittering party at the Dusseldorf hotel.

Prince Harry attended the event, but took a back seat and let his wife take the spotlight.

The Sussexes were last seen together on September 1 at a Beyoncé concert in California.

Meghan – speaking at her first Invictus Games engagement – apologized for being late and explained that she spent time with their children, Prince Archie, four, and Princess Lilibet, two, at the couple’s Montecito mansion before she left.

Meghan Markle took center stage during a glittering party at the hotel in Dusseldorf

It is the first time that Harry and Meghan have appeared together at the Games

Meghan wore a black Banana Republic dress, a Bottega Veneta belt and Aquazarra shoes

Duchess of Sussex meets Glory Essien at the Invictus Games

Prince Harry, who founded the competition in 2014, took a back seat while Meghan took the spotlight

A source close to the couple said Meghan did not read from a prepared speech, but spoke spontaneously.

Aides said Meghan, 42, did her own hair and makeup shortly after arriving at her five-star hotel in Dusseldorf and got ready for the event in just over an hour.

The event is organized by Dave Coker of the Fisher House Foundation, one of the main sponsors of the games.

Officials from the Invictus Games Foundation were also present.

The Mayor of Düsseldorf, Dr. Stephan Keller, attended the event where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex mingled with the families.

The two-hour event featured traditional German food and the evening will consist of music and entertainment.

Meghan made an adorable reference to her children Archie and Lillibet during her first speech at the Games.

Acknowledging that she missed the opening of the day’s games, she told the audience that she needed to spend time with her two young children in Los Angeles. She bought them milkshakes and took the eldest on a school run before leaving for Germany.

Meghan was cheered loudly as she took the stage in a conference hall next to Dusseldorf Airport

Before taking the stage, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex met friends and families of competitors

Meghan and Harry pictured tonight during the Invictus Games

Prince Harry sat mostly in the background during his wife’s speech, but said a few words at the end when she handed him the microphone

Meghan is pictured hugging Glory Essien as she meets competitors, friends and families

Meghan made an adorable reference to her children Archie and Lillibet during her first speech at the Invictus Games

She also said that one day she would like to bring her children to the event so they could experience it for themselves.

Meghan, who wore a black Banana Republic dress, Bottega Veneta belt and Aquazarra shoes, stood side by side with Harry as she was loudly cheered as she took the stage in a conference room next to Dusseldorf airport.

She told the 1,600 guests: “It’s so special to be here, sorry I’m a little late to the party.

‘I had to spend a little more time getting our little ones settled at home and delivering them.

‘Three milkshakes and a school trip and I just landed a few hours ago and I’m thrilled that the first event I can do for Invictus is here with all of you. It’s great and I hear it’s off to a good start so far.”

As the crowd cheered, Harry beamed and clapped enthusiastically.

Meghan took an evening flight from Los Angeles and flew to Dusseldorf after a brief stopover at Heathrow.