Meghan Markle made a surprise solo trip to Chicago for a special family celebration involving a close college friend.

The Duchess of Sussex reportedly attended the first communion of her godson, the son of one of her longtime friends, in what appeared to be a low-key personal visit.

The outing comes as Meghan and Prince Harry continue to face speculation about their marriage, with reports claiming the couple is planning a vow renewal ahead of their eighth wedding anniversary later this month. Other sources have also alleged that the pair remain divided over a possible reunion with King Charles and whether they could ever return to life in the U.K.

Meghan Markle Flew To Chicago For Her Godson’s Christening

Markle reportedly flew to Chicago over the weekend to support a longtime friend during a special family milestone.

Photos shared online showed the Duchess of Sussex attending a First Communion ceremony at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago on Saturday, May 2. She was seen wearing a beige turtleneck and smiling as children walked down the aisle during the service.

According to PEOPLE, Markle arrived early at the church and waited like every other family in attendance. She reportedly did not use a separate entrance and was not given any special treatment.

The actress attended Northwestern University in Chicago from 1999 to 2003, where she is believed to have met the college friend whose son was receiving his First Communion.

Meghan To Celebrate Prince Archie’s Birthday Soon

Markle has another family celebration on the horizon, as her son, Prince Archie, turns 7 on May 6. The milestone comes just weeks before the Duchess and Prince Harry mark their eighth wedding anniversary later this month.

Last year, Markle celebrated Archie’s sixth birthday by sharing a rare photo of him watching the sunset, with a radiant glow forming around his head.

“Our son. Our sun,” she captioned the post. “Happy 6th birthday to Archie!”

Meghan Markle Is Reportedly Considering A Vow Renewal With Prince Harry

Harry and Markle have continued to face rumors of relationship strain amid ongoing backlash over their public image and their fallout with the royal family.

Ahead of their eighth wedding anniversary later this month, sources told Radar Online that Meghan is considering a vow renewal ceremony with Harry as speculation about tensions in their marriage continues to swirl.

According to the outlet, the Duchess was inspired by Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi’s 2023 vow renewal, which she and Harry reportedly witnessed.

“There is a strong desire in Meghan to present unity and commitment for the sake of her lifestyle brand and ‘happy families’ image she loves to project on social media, particularly as her and Harry’s anniversary approaches,” a source claimed.

Markle Reportedly ‘Grappling With Serious Questions About The Future’

Despite reports that Markle may be considering a vow renewal with Harry, an insider has claimed their marriage could still be facing deeper uncertainty.

Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, Harry and Markle have repeatedly faced speculation about strain in their relationship. In recent months, those rumors have gained momentum, with some reports pointing to alleged financial pressures and differences over their future in the U.S.

“Meghan is basically desperate to leave Harry as he just doesn’t fit in with the showbiz life she wants to live in the US,” the insider alleged. “But at the same time, she is so focused on ‘Brand Meghan’ she thinks a vow renewal would make for great content on her channels.”

Harry And Meghan Markle ‘Very Much At Odds’ Over Major Decision

Meanwhile, Harry and Markle are said to be “very much at odds” over a possible return to the royal family. After seeing success in their four-day trip to Australia, the former actress believes she and Harry can create a parallel loyal family far from the clutches of the British monarchy, but Harry is understood to be opting for a part-time return to his family.

The Duke reportedly believes King Charles can make the call concerning his royal duties and would actually consider being a part-time royal, but he wants to have Markle by his side and cannot keep “flying back and forth” alone.

“The issue, of course, is that Meghan is not at all of the same mind,” an insider said to Closer.