Meghan Markle to make her first red carpet appearance since giving birth

Royal to attend Lion King premiere on Sunday

The Duchess of Sussex is due to make her first red carpet appearance since giving birth at The Lion King premiere this weekend.

The highly-anticipated Disney film is a remake of the 1994 animated classic and stars Donald Glover and Beyoncé, who play the lead roles of Simba and Nala, respectively.

Meghan will join her husband, the Duke of Sussex, at the film’s European premiere in London’s Leicester Square on Sunday, which is being held in support of the conversation and communities work Prince Harry carried out through The Royal Foundation, Buckingham Palace has said.

In honour of the film’s release, Disney has launched a new global conservation campaign called Protect the Pride, which aims to raise awareness for the decreasing lion population across Africa.

The Palace adds: “Since The Lion King was first released in theatres 25 years ago, half of Africa’s lions have disappeared. Lions face rising threats, such as poaching, loss of prey and destruction of habitats. However, research shows the lion population can recover.”

Prince Harry has a “deep personal interest in frontline conservation projects,” the Palace notes, particularly those that support wildlife and local communities.

On Sunday, the 34-year-old royal will meet with members of the cast and crew involved in The Lion King remake.

News of the couple’s attendance at the premiere follows the announcement of their upcoming royal tour to South Africa, which they will conduct with their son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.

The premiere will mark Meghan’s third public appearance in two weeks.

On Thursday 4 July, the new mother attended Wimbledon to watch Serena Williams compete in the annual championships. Then, on Wednesday, Meghan was spotted with Archie and the Duchess of Cambridge at a charity polo match.