Is Meghan’s make-up artist Daniel Martin ditching her for Hollywood stars? Duchess’s ‘best friend’ hasn’t worked with her in two years – and says she ‘did her own make-up on Nigeria tour’

Often described as best friend to Meghan, as well as  ‘guncle’ to Archie and Lilibet, Daniel Martin was by the Duchess of Sussex‘s side throughout her royal career.

The celebrity make-up artist cemented himself in the history books when he did Meghan’s make-up for her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018 – and worked alongside her at various events in her two years as a working royal.

But it seems Daniel, 51, might now be moving away from Meghan, who did her own hair and make-up during her recent quasi-royal tour to Nigeria.

The New York-based beautician is certainly still working with megastars.

His recent Instagram posts show collaborations with Rachel McAdams, as well as girl of the moment Nicola Coughlan, Olivia Munn, Ali Wong, Maya Rudolph.

So why hasn’t he worked with Meghan in two years, despite claiming to be ‘in touch with her all the time’?

Daniel, 51, might now be moving away from Meghan, who did her own hair and make-up during her recent quasi-royal tour to Nigeria

Daniel cemented himself in the history books when he did Meghan’s make-up for her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018 – and worked alongside her at various events in her two years as a working royal. Meghan is pictued on her wedding day in 2018 – when he make-up was done by Daniel

The pair are believe to have last worked together in May 2022, when Meghan and Harry visited the Netherlands for the Invictus Games.

But despite a tour of Nigeria, launching a lifestyle brand, and various red carpet and TV appearances, in those last two years, Daniel and Meghan haven’t worked together.

Speaking to US Weekly earlier this month Daniel said that Meghan has ‘more room to play’.    

‘She’s in Nigeria right now. It’s just her. There’s no stylist, there’s no hairdresser. She’s doing everything herself and she’s so good at it.’

‘I mean, she loves some blush. She loves the cheek. She loves a big brow.’ 

Lately, Daniel has formed a friendship with Brigerton star Nicole Coughlan – who he describes as a ‘sister’.

He recently did her make-up for the Brigerton premiere, the Big Mood premiere and her Town & Country cover.

The pair, pictured together, are believe to have last worked together in May 2022, when Meghan and Harry visited the Netherlands for the Invictus Games.

Meghan is pictured in Nigeria, where she did he own make-up and worked without a stylist

Daniel also worked with Olivia Munn for her Vogue shoot, while he also worked with Maya Rudolph at the Time 100 Gala as well as Dakota Johnson, Michelle Yeoh and Cindy Crawford.

Daniel is believed to have known Meghan for over a decade, having met her while the former actress worked on Suits. 

As Meghan didn’t have a publicist, she personally reached out to Daniel’s agent at The Wall Group – and he described how they both had an ‘instant connection.’

‘I knew what she wanted—it was one of those things where, she looked at herself in the mirror and was like, ‘Oh my God, this is what I always wanted, but I didn’t know how to get there,’ he told the publication.

The pair then kept in touch and while working on her former blog The Tig, Meghan asked Daniel to give her a helping hand.

He has remained in contact with the Duchess throughout her life in the royal family and was by Meghan’s side on her wedding day as he perfected her make-up.

Meghan is seen at the Invictus Games in 2022 when she is believed to have last worked with Martin

He also attended her famous baby shower in New York alongside celebrities like Gayle King and Serena Williams.

He was one of the first to visit the Duke and Duchess of Sussex when they moved into Frogmore Cottage shortly before Archie’s birth.

The royal also surprised Daniel in New York for his birthday last September, with the makeup artist revealing the news by sharing a snap on Instagram of a plate of cupcakes.

The accompanying message was yet another indication of the closeness of their friendship, with the make-up artist referring to the Duchess of Sussex by her nickname, ‘Meg’.

Meanwhile, Daniel’s worked with a flurry of Hollywood stars – including girl of the moment Nicola Coughlan

Maya Rudolph is another client of Daniel’s 

The makeup artist has often spoken about his royal connection previously told Grazia magazine: ‘Meghan makes me go on YouTube to learn about things. She’ll be like, Oh I follow this person and they did it this way- and I’m like, “Oh OK’.”‘

He previously told Harper’s Bazaar he was too busy to travel to London before the Duchess’s wedding so they had no opportunity to trial the look beforehand – despite some 17 million people tuning in to watch the big day, so the pair teamed up to plan the make up via Zoom.

Daniel opted for a natural look for the Duchess because of different lighting situations throughout the day.

And for her evening reception look, a Stella McCartney dress, he chose darker makeup look and did more definition on the eyes.