Meghan Markle flew to New York during a last-minute trip to watch friend Serena Williams compete in the final of the US Open.

The Duchess of Sussex, 38, jetted off on a commercial flight this morning after rearranging her packed schedule to watch the tennis star play.

The royal, who will travel without Prince Harry or Baby Archie, will return to London at the end of the weekend.

A source told the Times : “It is a last-minute trip. Excited to support her friend, and then come back.”

It is understood that Meghan organised the trans-Atlantic trip after staying up until 1am to watch Serena beat Elina Svitolina in straight-sets last night.

Meghan Markle boarded the plane for New York this morning 
Duchess of Sussex was engrossed in Serena Williams’ match at Wimbledon earlier this year
The Duchess has been friends with the tennis ace since they met at a charity football game
However, the trip had been mooted after her pal reached the quarter-final stage of the tournament.

Meghan boarded the aircraft alongside her security just seven hours after the end of Serena’s match, but it is not known which airline or which airport she flew out from.

The trip comes amid heavy scrutiny over their flying habits in recent weeks – but the royals say they always insist on offsetting their carbon emissions, and this trip is no exception.

It was revealed that Prince Harry took private jets for half of 10 known trips abroad in a year – despite claiming 99% of flights he takes are with commercial airlines.

Those flights include a private jet to Ireland on an official visit with Meghan, a private jet to Italy to holiday with George and Amal Clooney, a private jet to Sicily for a Google Summit – as well as private flights for family holidays to Ibiza and the south of France.

Serena Williams is aiming to win her 24th Grand Slam at US Open on Saturday 
General view of the American flag displayed at Arthur Ashe stadium before the match between Angelique Kerber of Germany and Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic
Meghan will attend the final at the Arthur Ashe stadium in Queens, New York

Meghan Markle also took a private flight on her solo trip to New York for her baby shower earlier this year.

Williams, 37, will face the 19-year-old Canadian player Bianca Andreescu in the Women’s US Open final which will take place at the world famous Arthur Ashe stadium in Queens, New York.

The tennis star – who became a mother for the first time in 2017 – will win her 24th Grand Slam title if she is victorious on Saturday.