Harry and Meghan are a 'little bit in and a little bit out' of Hollywood, claims model who spoke to them at Kris Jenner's birthday party
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are a 'little bit in and a little bit out' in Hollywood, according to a fashion designer who spoke with them at Kris Jenner's birthday party.
Kimora Lee Simmons said the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are 'very nice' and they spent time chatting at the celebrity-filled 70th party in Beverly Hills on November 8.
The model who founded lifestyle brand Baby Phat told how she saw the couple 'from time to time' and joked about them being 'far away from Hollywood' in Montecito.
She spoke as Harry and Meghan continue to attempt to build status in Hollywood, five years after stepping down as senior royals and moving to the celebrity enclave in California - with the Duchess returning to acting for the first time in eight years.
Last month the 'photogate' scandal saw Jenner's big party overshadowed by a mystery over why pictures of Meghan and Harry were deleted from social media.
Candid images showed the Sussexes cosying up to the Kardashian 'momager' during the bash, with Harry seen sashaying towards the birthday girl on the dancefloor.
But within 48 hours they were unusually all scrubbed from Instagram by Jenner and her daughter Kim Kardashian, who had shared them with their millions of followers.
Simmons, 50, who is promoting her new reality show 'Kimora: Back in the Fab Lane', was asked by New York Post reporter Alexandra Bellusci about attending the party.
Hinting at photogate, she said: 'Oh my gosh, am I trouble for that? I'm not sure, I don't know, that's why I'm really asking. I don't care either, but I don't know. Seems like some people got in trouble - because maybe it was too fabulous. I don't really know.'
Harry and Meghan arrive at Kris Jenner's 70th birthday party in Beverly Hills on November 8
Kimora Lee Simmons arrives for Kris Jenner's 70th party in Beverly Hills on November 8
Harry and Meghan arrive at Kris Jenner's 70th birthday party in Beverly Hills on November 8
The James Bond-themed ball was thrown for Jenner by Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez at their $165million estate – and the Sussexes were among those present.
Simmons said: 'I did see them. Am I supposed to say that? Is that a secret? I don't know. I saw them. We spoke and talked. I see them though from time to time. Very nice.'
She was then asked about the couple's status in Hollywood, and said: 'They're a little bit in and a little bit out, I think so.
'They're more like, I don't know where, far away from Hollywood… Montecito. A little bit down the PCH [Pacific Coast Highway].'
As for the party, People magazine, the Sussexes' preferred publication in the US, claimed that couple asked that no photos of them inside the event were published.
The outlet also reported that it was understood the Sussexes ticked a 'no' box on a photo consent form, leading to the party images of them being removed.
But a source close to the event then strongly refuted the claim to the Daily Mail, saying 'there were no consent forms' – meaning it remains unclear why the photos vanished and whether the Sussexes or anyone else asked for them to come down.
Despite the images being deleted, the pictures of Harry and Meghan were shared widely on social media and published by several websites in the US.
(From left) Khloé, Kourtney, Kim, Kris, Kylie and Kendall at the birthday party on November 8
Kris Jenner with Beyoncé and her mother Tina Knowles during the party in Beverly Hills
Kris Jenner parties with the likes of Mariah Carey during the party attended by 300 guests
Harry looked particularly happy in one photo, putting his arm around Jenner, who was standing between him and his wife, with the prince leaning in to bring his face closer to hers. Meghan looked far more serious, with her hand on Jenner's shoulder.
The former Suits star smiled, but not as widely as Harry, who in another now-deleted image appeared to be giddy and shimmying towards their host on the dancefloor.
The Duchess, who met through mutual friend Ellen DeGeneres at a party three years ago, was also seen laughing with her hand resting on Jenner's shoulder.
While photos of Harry and Meghan were deleted, Jenner's photos with the likes of Beyonce, Justin Bieber, Mariah Carey, Mark Zuckerberg, Stevie Wonder, Oprah Winfrey and hosts Mr Bezos and Lauren Sanchez remained on her social media.
Two weeks later, Jenner gave Meghan a show of support by reposting a trailer for the Duchess's Netflix Christmas special on Instagram ahead of its release today.
In the special, Meghan shares the UK's 'sweet' tradition of pulling crackers and reveals she puts a love letter inside the one she makes for the Duke of Sussex
.Meghan urges people to try to make 'every day' of December 'special' as the year prepares to end, adding: 'But don't feel like you have to do it all.'
Kris Jenner posted a photo of herself with Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan
Justin Bieber was also in attendance at the party and was pictured dancing with Kris Jenner
Kris Jenner looked like a Bond girl as she brandished a pistol next to her partner Corey Gamble
Kris Jenner spoke with Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez, who hosted the party at their home
She recommends adding wax seals to wrapped presents to elevate them, and letting tree ornaments 'find their light' as she offers up tips for the festive season.
The 56-minute one-off episode follows the first two critically-savaged seasons of With Love, Meghan and comes after the Sussexes signed their new watered down, first look deal with the streaming giant in August.
Last month it was revealed Meghan is set to return to after she quit Hollywood in 2017 to become a member of the Royal Family – with a small role in Close Personal Friends.
She will star in the upcoming Amazon MGM comedy about two couples alongside Lily Collins, Brie Larson and Jack Quaid. Meghan is expected to play herself in the film, which follows two couples where one is famous and the other is not.
