Meghan Markle and Kimberly Williams-Paisley Catch Up Over Cozy Lunch at Montecito Hot Spot.
Meghan Markle and Kimberly Williams-Paisley enjoyed a delightful Italian meal together last weekend, specifically on Sunday, July 21. The Duchess of Sussex, aged 42, and the actress and activist, aged 52, were spotted leaving Tre Lune, a popular Italian restaurant located in Montecito, California. This charming eatery is situated in the same Santa Barbara area where Meghan resides with her husband, Prince Harry, and their two children, Prince Archie, who is 5, and Princess Lilibet, who is 3. Notably, the couple had previously dined at Tre Lune just days before Meghan’s birthday last August.
The two women share a special bond as alumni of Northwestern University, where they both pursued their educations. Williams-Paisley graduated in 1993, and Meghan completed her studies a decade later, in 2003. During their meal, the pair indulged in pasta and wine, catching up on life and their respective endeavors.
In terms of fashion, both Meghan and Kimberly showcased their summer styles effortlessly. The Duchess of Sussex opted for a classic look, wearing a crisp white button-down shirt from Anine Bing, elegantly tucked into her jeans, complemented by chic Chanel flats. She accessorized her outfit with stylish Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses and layered two gold necklaces, all while carrying her fashionable Dior Lady D-Lite handbag.
On the other hand, Kimberly brought a casual yet stylish vibe, donning a light blue dress paired with a sling bag. She sported sneakers, pushing her hair back with a pair of sunglasses, perfectly suited for a sunny day out. Although this was the first time they were photographed together, their connection runs deep, not only through their collegiate ties but also through their professional journeys. Williams-Paisley gained fame from her role in the beloved 1991 film “Father of the Bride,” while Meghan rose to prominence through her portrayal of Rachel Zane in the first seven seasons of “Suits.” Meghan stepped away from acting after her engagement to Prince Harry in 2017.
Both women are also deeply committed to philanthropy. Meghan and Harry founded the Archewell Foundation in 2020, aiming to support various charitable initiatives. Similarly, Williams-Paisley and her husband, Brad Paisley, established The Store in Nashville the same year, focusing on providing free groceries to families in need. In a conversation with PEOPLE in April 2021, Williams-Paisley shared the significant impact they had made, stating that they had provided nearly 1.3 million meals during the first year of operation. “This has been our dream,” she expressed, emphasizing the importance of allowing families to shop with dignity and make choices for themselves.
While The Store is based in Tennessee, the Paisleys also have a second home in California, where they live with their teenage sons, Huck and Jasper. The Archewell Foundation has similarly addressed food insecurity, particularly in times of crisis. Since December 2020, they have partnered with chef José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen to foster positive community change. Together, they have established four Community Relief Centers around the globe and have distributed meals in Ukraine. Andrés praised their efforts, stating, “I love them. They are very hands-on and highly knowledgeable about the world’s issues.”
Additionally, Meghan has showcased her culinary talents through various charitable cookbooks. In September 2023, she contributed a lemon olive oil cake recipe to “The World Central Kitchen Cookbook: Feeding Humanity, Feeding Hope.” She was also pivotal in the release of “Together: Our Community Cookbook,” which came about after she collaborated with women affected by the Grenfell Tower tragedy at the Hubb Community Kitchen in the U.K. in 2018. Meghan wrote the foreword for this collection of 50 recipes, with a portion of the proceeds supporting the community kitchen, further highlighting her dedication to charitable work and community support.
