EXCLUSIVE: Meghan Markle flaunts her California glow in a $240 strapless black-and-white dress and carries funky $430 beaded purse as she enjoys an early birthday date night with Prince Harry

Meghan Markle took her most fashionable step on Tuesday night while enjoying an early birthday dinner with Prince Harry at a fancy restaurant near her Montecito home.

The 41-year-old, who will officially celebrate her birthday on Friday, was pictured leaving Tre Lune restaurant alongside her 38-year-old husband, looking every inch the birthday prom queen in a trendy strapless gown.

Meghan showed off her California glow and slim figure in Australian fashion label Posse’s $240 black and white column maxi dress, which is designed, according to the label’s description, to ‘hugging every curve’, courtesy of her stretch fabric.

The mother-of-two kept things simple with her footwear and donned a pair of flat black sandals, however, she added some pizzazz to her look in the form of her bag, opting for a funky beaded wooden tote bag from $ 428 from Cult Gaia, a brand loved by influencers and A-listers alike.

The 41-year-old, who turns 42 on Friday, showed off her California glow and slender figure in the $240 black-and-white column-length dress from Australian fashion label Posse.

Meghan was accompanied by her husband, Prince Harry, 38, who wore a pale blue shirt, beige pants and a pair of tan slip-ons.

The mother-of-two wore her long brown locks in a low ponytail that hung down her back, and was layered with nude lip gloss for an added shot of glamour.

For her jewelry, the Duchess kept things simple, choosing to go necklaceless to allow her cleavage to be kept on display in the strapless gown design.

She wasn’t without a healthy dose of bling for her birthday night on the town, though, adding a pair of chunky gold hoop earrings, as well as a stack of bangles on one wrist, including her favorite $10 Cartier Love bracelet. 6,900 and what appeared to be her $4,750 Jennifer Meyer Gold Mini Bezel tennis bracelet.

The pièce de résistance was her beloved $26,000 gold Cartier Tank Française watch, which once belonged to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana.

Although she no longer needed them when she left the restaurant, Meghan was also carrying a pair of dark sunglasses in hand as she walked out of the restaurant and into a waiting vehicle with Harry.

Perhaps eager to let his wife shine before her birthday, Harry wore a more low-key look that featured a pale blue button-down shirt, beige pants, and a pair of tan slip-ons.

Like his wife, the Duke of Sussex had a pair of sunglasses in hand as they left the restaurant.

The outing marks the first time Harry and Meghan have been seen together in public in months, coming just hours after the couple were seen putting up a united front on pre-recorded video as they made calls to young people who are working. to improve the digital world.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are seen making the phone calls from their Montecito garden.

Harry and Meghan with their children Archie and Lilibet in a Christmas card in December 2021

As they grapple with declining popularity and questions about future projects for Brand Sussex, the Duke and Duchess surprised US recipients of the first Responsible Technology Youth Energy Fund (RTYPF) grants with phone calls. to congratulate them.

Harry, 38, also mentioned his children Archie, four, and Lilibet, two, telling a winner on a call: “Thank you for doing everything you do.” Our children especially are incredibly grateful.’

Meghan, 41, adds: ‘They don’t know yet, but they will!’

Harry and Meghan have been quiet and prior to the video they were last seen at the Ms Foundation Women of Vision Awards in New York on May 16.

The couple’s Spotify partnership ended in June and concerns were raised about the future of their Netflix deal, while Harry’s eco-travel project Travalyst made a major announcement about a major renewal in May without mentioning it.

The clip was released by RTYPF rather than the couple, but it features clever footage of them talking in their $33.5 million Montecito Mansion.

The duke was dressed smart-casual in brown chinos and a white shirt, while his wife wore a Camel sleeveless blouse and matching skirt from the Malibu Bleusalt brand, which she combined with minimalist gold earrings.

This marks the start of some public appearances and the couple is said to be attending the Invictus Games in Düsseldorf for events between September 9-16. It is not yet known if they will visit the UK during their stay abroad.