Meghan Markle to carry out first solo royal engagement as estranged sister Samantha claims she is heading to UK

The Duchess of Sussex is set to carry out her first solo royal engagement today when she attends the opening of a major art exhibition in central London.

The event marks a significant moment in Meghan Markle’s life as a member of the monarchy, as she will be appearing without the support of Harry or other royals by her side.

The 37-year-old former actress will join guests at the opening of an exhibition of works from the Oceania region, at the Royal Academy of Arts in central London.

Her first solo royal engagement comes less than 24 hours after her sister Samantha Markle vowed to fly to the UK to confront Meghan over the health of their father, Thomas Markle.

Meghan’s estranged half-sister has previously said the Duchess could do more to help her father, who pulled out of attending the royal wedding earlier this year after suffering a heart attack.

As her estranged sibling's PR claimed she was “just one short flight away” from the UK on Monday, Meghan was preparing for her first solo engagement, four months after becoming a member of the monarchy on May 19.

The Duchess of Cambridge carried out her first solo engagement, standing in for the Prince of Wales at a private fundraising dinner, in October 2011, almost six months after her wedding day.

The Royal Academy of Arts event will celebrate the art of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia, encompassing the vast Pacific region including New Guinea, Easter Island, Hawaii and New Zealand.

The exhibition marks the 250th anniversary of the Royal Academy, which was founded in 1768, the year Captain James Cook set out on his first Endeavour expedition.

Meghan and Harry are due to tour Australia, Tonga, Fiji and New Zealand in October and the Duchess will be shown art from the four countries during her exhibition viewing.

The Royal pair went head-to-head in a netball shootout at a coaching awards ceremony at Loughborough University on Monday afternoon.

On Tuesday, Meghan will meet the exhibition's curators, artists and descendants linked to the works on display, and view a short performance by Ngati Ranana, a Maori cultural group.

Oceania at the Royal Academy of Arts will open to the public from September 29 to December 10.

Additional reporting by Press Association.