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Why an authority believes the Duchess of Sussex might grace the Oscars solo this year.
Since Meghan Markle transitioned from royal life back to the Hollywood scene, speculation has been rife annually about her potential appearance at the Oscars. This year is no different, with whispers and unverified reports circulating about Meghan possibly stepping onto the red carpet for the prestigious event.
This year’s 98th Academy Awards is scheduled for Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the iconic Dolby Theatre. The event will be broadcast live in more than 200 countries. The question remains: will the Duchess of Sussex be among the stars that evening?
Here are the odds that Meghan will attend if she scores an invite to the awards ceremony, plus why an expert says if she does go, she’ll want to be there without her husband, Prince Harry.
The latest odds from Action Network are in favor of Meghan’s appearance at the Oscars at 4/6 (60%). And the odds of her attending the event solo are better than those of Harry accompanying her, which are at 2/1 (33.3%).
Kayley Cornelius is a celebrity PR specialist and brand strategist, known for her expertise in media, pop culture, and influencer culture. She specializes in crisis PR, traditional PR, celebrity branding, and brand reputation, advising on reputation management and public perception. Cornelius’ commentary and analysis on celebrity branding, reality TV stars, influencers, and high-profile relationships have been featured in the New York Post, Elle, the Daily Mail, the BBC, and more.
Speaking on behalf of Action Network about the probability of Meghan appearing at the Academy Awards this year, Cornelius explained to Showbiz Cheat Sheet why Meghan will want to be at the Oscars sans Prince Harry, sharing, “Acting is very much Meghan’s thing and it is where she first built her name and professional credibility long before royal life entered the picture. It is the industry she understands and the space where she has previously found success, so if she is serious about returning to that world in a meaningful way, attending the Oscars alone would ensure the attention is firmly placed on her and her ambitions rather than on her relationship.”
The PR expert continued, “At the moment, one of the biggest perception challenges she faces is that she and Harry are often viewed as a package deal. Over the past few years, their projects, interviews, and public appearances have largely been done together, which has reinforced that joint image in the public mind. If Meghan truly wants to carve out a distinct and independent brand, then creating clear separation in certain high profile moments is essential, and a solo appearance at an event as globally recognized as the Oscars would send a very deliberate message that she is stepping forward in her own right.
“There is also a strong sense of familiarity and goodwill attached to her acting career, particularly her time on the hit series Suits, which remains one of the most positively received chapters of her professional life. Returning to what she is known to be good at could be a strategic way to reset the narrative, rebuild positive associations, and remind audiences why they connected with her in the first place.”