Meghan Markle reunites with make-up artist and ‘best friend’ Daniel Martin at the Epsys after a two-year break from working together
The Duchess of Sussex reunited with her longtime makeup artist at the Espy Awards on Thursday, after an apparent two-year hiatus.
Daniel Martin is often described as Meghan Markle’s, 42, best friend and a ‘guncle’ to Archie and Lilibet. He has stood by Meghan Markle throughout her royal career.
The celebrity makeup artist made history when he did the makeup for Meghan’s wedding to Prince Harry in 2018, and worked with her on various events as a member of the royal family for two years.
Daniel, 51, appeared to be distancing himself from Meghan after she did her own hair and makeup during her quasi-royal tour to Nigeria in May.
However, Daniel revealed on Instagram that he had once again collaborated with the mother-of-two to create her glow at last week’s ESPYS Awards in California, describing Meghan and Prince Harry, 39, as his “besties.”
Meghan Markle reunites with her makeup artist Daniel Martin for her Epsys look after a reported two-year hiatus (Meghan is pictured at the event with Prince Harry)
Daniel shared two photos of Meghan on Instagram at the star-studded event, which honors athletic achievements and other sports-related accomplishments.
“EPSYS with my best friends,” he wrote under a photo of Harry and Meghan. He continued: “Congrats buddy on your Pat Tillman Award for Service. Makeup by yours truly and hair by [by] @hectorsworldd’.
He later posted a close-up photo of Meghan’s makeup look for the occasion, captioning it: “There she is, glowing.”
The reunion may come as a surprise to royal fans as it appears the two haven’t worked together in over two years, despite Daniel claiming to be “always in touch” with her.
His recent Instagram posts have seen him showcase collaborations with Rachel McAdams, as well as girl of the moment Nicola Coughlan, Olivia Munn, Ali Wong and Maya Rudolph.
The two are believed to have last worked together in May 2022, when Meghan and Harry visited the Netherlands for the Invictus Games.
But despite a tour of Nigeria, the launch of a lifestyle brand and several red carpet and TV appearances, Daniel and Meghan have not worked together publicly in the past two years.
In June, Daniel told US Weekly that the royal mother of two has “more leeway.”
The mother of two worked with Daniel for her ‘glow’ despite having done her own makeup recently, including during her quasi-royal trip to Nigeria
Daniel Martin revealed he collaborated with the Duchess of Sussex on her Epsys makeup look last Thursday
The makeup artist later shared a photo of Meghan’s makeup look, captioning it: “She looks radiant.”
“She’s in Nigeria now. She’s all alone. There’s no stylist, there’s no hairdresser. She does everything herself and she’s so good at it.”
“I mean, she likes a little blush. She likes the cheek. She likes a big brow.”
Daniel has recently become friends with Brigerton star Nicole Coughlan, who he describes as a ‘sister’.
He recently did her makeup for the premiere of Brigerton, the premiere of Big Mood and her cover of Town & Country.
His recent Instagram posts have seen him showcase collaborations with Rachel McAdams, as well as girl of the moment Nicola Coughlan, Olivia Munn, Ali Wong and Maya Rudolph.
Daniel, 51, didn’t do Meghan’s hair and makeup during her recent quasi-royal tour to Nigeria
Daniel immortalized himself in the history books when he did Meghan’s makeup for her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018 – and has worked with her on several events in her two years as a working royal. Meghan is pictured on her wedding day in 2018 – when his makeup was done by Daniel
The duo, pictured here 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 collaborated 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 believed to have known Meghan for over a decade, having met her when the former actress was working on Suits.
Because Meghan didn’t have a publicist, she personally reached out to Daniel’s agent at The Wall Group. He described how they both “clicked” immediately.
“I knew what she wanted. It was one of those things where she looked in the mirror and thought, ‘Oh my God, this is what I always wanted, but I didn’t know how to get it,'” he told the publication.
The couple stayed in touch and while Meghan was working on her former blog The Tig, she asked Daniel to help her out.
He remained in touch with the Duchess throughout her life in the Royal Family and was Meghan’s side on her wedding day as he perfected her makeup.
Meghan will be seen at the Invictus Games in 2022, where she is believed to have worked with Martin for the last time
He also attended her famous baby shower in New York, along with celebrities including Gayle King and Serena Williams.
He was one of the first to visit the Duke and Duchess of Sussex when they moved into Frogmore Cottage shortly before Archie’s birth.
The royal also surprised Daniel in New York for his birthday last September, with the makeup artist announcing the news by sharing a photo of a plate of cupcakes on Instagram.
The accompanying message was another sign of the close friendship: the make-up artist called the Duchess of Sussex by her nickname: ‘Meg’.
In the meantime, Daniel worked with a whole bunch of Hollywood stars, including the girl of the moment, Nicola Coughlan
American actress and comedienne Maya Rudolph, 51, is another VIP client of Daniel’s
The makeup artist has spoken often about his royal connection, previously telling Grazia magazine: ‘Meghan makes me go on YouTube and learn things. She’ll say, “Oh, I follow this person and they did it this way” – and I’m like, “Oh, okay.”‘
He previously told Harper’s Bazaar that he was too busy to travel to London for the Duchess’s wedding, so they didn’t have a chance to try out the look beforehand. However, with an estimated 17 million people watching the big day, the two decided to plan their makeup together over Zoom.
Daniel opted for a natural look for the Duchess, as there were different lighting conditions throughout the day.
And for her evening reception look, a Stella McCartney dress, he opted for darker makeup and gave her eyes more definition.