The Duchess of Sussex reunited with her longtime makeup artist after an apparent two-year hiatus at the Espy Awards on Thursday.
Often described as Meghan Markle’s best friend, 42, as well as Archie and Lilibet’s “military uncle,” Daniel Martin has been by Meghan Markle’s side throughout her royal career.
The celebrity makeup artist cemented himself in the history books when he did Meghan’s makeup for her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018, and worked alongside her at several events during her two years as a working royal.
It then appeared Daniel, 51, may have moved on from Meghan, after she did her own hair and makeup during her quasi-royal tour to Nigeria in May.
However, in a twist of events, Daniel revealed on Instagram that he once again teamed up 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 “best friends.”
Meghan Markle reunited with her makeup artist Daniel Martin for her Epsys look after what is believed to have been a two-year hiatus (Meghan appears at the event with Prince Harry)
On Instagram, Daniel shared two photographs of Meghan at the star-studded event, which honours athletic achievements and other sports-related performances.
“EPSYS with my best friends,” he wrote beneath a photo of Harry and Meghan. He continued: “Congratulations mate on your Pat Tillman Service Award. Makeup by me and hair by @hectorsworldd.”
She later posted a close-up of Meghan’s makeup look for the occasion, with the caption: “There she shines.”
The reunion may come as a surprise to royal fans after the pair appeared not to have worked together for two years, despite Daniel claiming to be “in touch with her all the time.”
Her recent Instagram posts feature collaborations with Rachel McAdams, as well as girl of the moment Nicola Coughlan, Olivia Munn, Ali Wong and Maya Rudolph.
The pair 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 television appearances, Daniel and Meghan have not worked together publicly in the past two years.
Speaking to US Weekly in June, Daniel said the royal mother of two has “more room to play.”
The mother of two teamed up with Daniel for her ‘glow’, despite having done her own makeup of late, including during her quasi-royal trip to Nigeria.
Daniel Martin revealed he teamed up with the Duchess of Sussex for her Epsys makeup look last Thursday
The makeup artist then shared a photo of Meghan’s makeup look, captioned: ‘There she shines.’
“She’s in Nigeria now. She’s alone. She doesn’t have a stylist or a hairdresser. She does everything herself and she’s very good at it.”
“I mean she loves blush, she loves cheekbones, she loves big eyebrows.”
Daniel has recently struck up a friendship with Brigerton star Nicole Coughlan, whom he describes as a “sister”.
He recently did her makeup for the premiere of Bridgerton, the premiere of Big Mood, and her cover of Town & Country.
Her recent Instagram posts feature collaborations with Rachel McAdams, as well as girl of the moment Nicola Coughlan, Olivia Munn, Ali Wong and Maya Rudolph.
Daniel, 51, did not do Meghan’s hair or makeup during her recent quasi-royal tour of Nigeria
Daniel cemented himself in the history books when he did Meghan’s makeup for her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018, and worked alongside her at several events during her two years as a working royal. Meghan is pictured on her wedding day in 2018, when her makeup was done by Daniel.
The pair, pictured together, are last believed to have worked together in May 2022 when Meghan and Harry visited the Netherlands for the Invictus Games.
Meghan appears in Nigeria, where she did her own makeup and worked without a stylist.
Daniel also worked with Olivia Munn for her Vogue photoshoot, while he also worked with Maya Rudolph on the Time 100 Gala, as well as Dakota Johnson, Michelle Yeoh and Cindy Crawford.
Daniel is believed to have known Meghan for more than a decade, having met her while the former actress was working on Suits.
Since Meghan didn’t have a publicist, she personally reached out to Daniel’s agent at The Wall Group, and he described how the two had an “instant connection.”
“She knew what she wanted; it was one of those things where she looked in the mirror and said, ‘Oh my God, this is what I’ve always wanted, but I didn’t know how to get it,'” she told the publication.
The couple kept in touch and while working on her old blog The Tig, Meghan asked Daniel to help her.
He kept in touch with the Duchess throughout her life in the royal family and was by her side. Meghan’s side on her wedding day as he perfected her makeup.
Meghan is seen at the Invictus Games in 2022, when she is believed to have last worked with Martin.
She also attended her famous baby shower in New York alongside celebrities such as 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 was born.
The royal also surprised Daniel in New York for his birthday last September, with the makeup artist revealing the news by sharing a snap on Instagram of a plate of cupcakes.
The accompanying message was another sign of the closeness of their friendship, with the makeup artist referring to the Duchess of Sussex by her nickname, “Meg.”
Meanwhile, Daniel worked with a host of Hollywood stars, including the girl of the moment Nicola Coughlan.
American actress and comedian Maya Rudolph, 51, is another VIP client of Daniel’s
The makeup artist has often spoken about her connection to the royals, previously telling Grazia magazine: “Meghan gets me on YouTube to learn about stuff. She’s like, ‘Oh, I follow this person and they did it this way,’ and I’m like, ‘Oh, that’s okay.'”
He previously told Harper’s Bazaar that he was too busy to travel to London ahead of the Duchess’s wedding so they didn’t get a chance to test the look beforehand – despite some 17 million people tuning in to watch the big day – so the couple teamed up to plan the makeup via Zoom.
Daniel opted for a natural look for the Duchess due to the different lighting situations throughout the day.
And for her evening reception look, a Stella McCartney dress, she chose darker makeup and defined her eyes more.