MEGHAN Markle last night watched her long-time friend Serena Williams lose in the US Open women's singles final in New York.

The Duchess of Sussex, 38, looked dejected as she sat among the tennis star's family and friends - after snubbing the Queen's invite to Balmoral Castle earlier this week.

29 The Duchess of Sussex looked in high spirits before the US Open final Credit: EPA

29 Meghan looked disappointed to see her friend lose in the final

29 The Duchess displayed an anxious exterior towards the end of the match Credit: AFP or licensors

29 Meghan was seen raising an eyebrow during the match Credit: Getty - Contributor

29 Meghan was in New York to watch long-time friend Serena Williams Credit: EPA

29 Meghan was spotted joking and laughing before the start of the match Credit: AFP or licensors

29 Meghan was seated one row in front of Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour Credit: AP:Associated Press

29 The Duchess was seen greeting Serena's mum Oracene Price Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Meghan was accused of jinxing former world number one Serena - after the sportswoman's coaches reportedly voiced concerns.

It comes just months after Meghan watched from the Wimbledon crowd as Serena was defeated in the final by Simona Halep.

Williams was also beaten at SW19 by Angelique Kerber in the Wimbledon final last year - which Meghan also attended.

After Serena's defeat on Saturday night, one Twitter user wrote: "Dear Meghan Markle please stop attending Serena's finals matches.

"You are a jinx. Signed fans who are not her friends."

Another said: "Meghan. Duchess. Love you so much. Really do. Are you a jinx though? Has she been at most of the losses?"

Despite the jinx claims, Meghan watched Williams win at Wimbledon in 2016 - when the star successfully defended her title against Kerber.

The future Duchess was rumoured to be dating Prince Harry at the time.

MISSES OUT ON HISTORY

Last night Meghan watched her pal lose 6-3 7-5 to Canada’s Biana Andreescu, 19 - with the defeat meaning she again failed to secure record-equalling 24th Grand Slam.

The Duchess wore a chic £96 denim shirt-dress from high street brand J Crew, accessorised with aviator sunglasses while sporting a hair-down look.

Before the match, the Duchess greeted Serena's husband and co-founder of Reddit Alexis Ohanian - as well as exchanging hugs with other members of Serena's entourage.

She was then seen making her way down to take her seat, which was one row in front of Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour.

The royal made a last-minute dash to the airport yesterday morning to jump on a plane to the States to cheer on Serena live in the final.

Meghan — who left son Archie with dad Prince Harry, 34, and their nanny — is staying for the weekend in New York City.

'TOO BUSY' FOR QUEEN

The Sun revealed on Thursday that the couple — unlike other royals — had declined a visit to Balmoral to see the Queen on her Scottish holiday, saying that four-month-old Archie was too young.

Meghan’s spokeswoman also said it was because she and Harry were “too busy” with work.

She added that Meghan had taken a commercial flight — understood to be a British Airways plane from London Heathrow — and not a private jet.

She and Harry faced much criticism last month for catching four private jets in under two weeks for private holidays — while preaching about climate change.

29 The Duchess displayed a mixture of emotions at the beginning of the match Credit: EPA

29 Meghan was seen chatting with Serena's tennis coach, Patrick Mouratoglou Credit: AP:Associated Press

29 Meghan and Serena have been friends for years Credit: EPA

29 Meghan cheered Serena on while anxious husband Alexis was seen intently watching the match Credit: EPA

29 The Duchess was seen sipping on some refreshments during the nail-biting final Credit: Rex Features

Harry took a further two more to deliver a speech on climate change in Sicily at Google Camp - making it six private jet trips in a month.

A source said: “The Duchess was thinking of flying out to support Serena after she won the quarter finals on Tuesday.

“She stayed up late on Thursday and into the early hours to watch her in the semis.

"When she won, Meghan was like ‘let’s go!’

“She’s really excited to support her friend and then come back.”

MEGHAN 'WORRIES' COACH

And while Serena was likely thrilled to have her best friend cheering her on, her coach was reportedly "worried" over the royal's presence.

Serena's tennis trainer Patrick Mouratoglou was said to be fearful of the Duchess's presence.

According to the New York Post's celebrity gossip site, Page Six, members of Serena's team were "concerned" and "superstitious" over the Duchess' presence.

A source said: "Serena asked her coach about Meghan coming when she won last night and everyone is worried, as tennis players are very superstitious, and Serena lost when Meghan came to watch her at Wimbledon.

“[Williams’ coach] Patrick keeps telling her, ‘Focus focus focus.’

"The aim is getting her to win her 24th Grand Slam.”

MEG-A-STAR

Meghan was understood have flown out without any staff, although accompanied by her royal protection police officers.

Serena’s semi-final ended at 1am London time on Friday.

Less than seven hours later, Meghan was boarding her flight.

Her spokeswoman said Meghan had paid to offset her carbon dioxide emissions.

The Duchess of Sussex’s journey to New York — her first since her £330,000 star-studded baby shower in February — was expected to generate 986kg of carbon dioxide.

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The Duchess's last-minute trip comes as news of her using a Hollywood agent, lawyer and business manager had emerged.

The secret US team is looking after her future career — and believed to be in negotiations for her first children’s book.

But royal insiders say such matters would normally be handled “exclusively” by Palace staff. 29 Meghan was seen loudly cheering for Serena at one point in the match from the player's box Credit: Getty - Contributor 29 The Duchess of Sussex was seen making her way down to her seat before the match Credit: AFP or licensors 29 The Duchess was seen waving to the crowd Credit: EPA 29 The Duchess's emotions ran high even at the beginning of the final Credit: EPA 29 Serena's team were seen loudly cheering for the tennis superstar Credit: Getty Images - Getty 29 She was seen greeting members of Serena's player's box Credit: EPA

29 Meghan was due to stay the whole weekend in New York City Credit: AFP or licensors

29 Meghan made a last-minute dash to the airport to jump on a plane to the States to cheer on Serena live in the final Credit: EPA

29 Meghan greets Serena's husband Alexis Ohanian as she arrives to watch the women's singles final Credit: AP:Associated Press

29 Meghan and Serena's mum looked tense towards the end of the match Credit: AFP or licensors

29 Serena's sister Venus was seen chatting to Anna Wintour one row behind Meghan Credit: Getty Images - Getty

29 Serena's husband was seen looking tense after his wife lost the first set Credit: Getty Images - Getty

29 Director Spike Lee was seen clapping for Serena Credit: Getty Images - Getty

29 Venus Williams displayed a calm poker face after her sister lost the first set Credit: Getty Images - Getty

29 Model Gigi Hadid was also spotted cheering pal Serena on Credit: Getty Images - Getty

29 British model Cara Delevingne was also among the celebs supporting the former world number one Credit: EPA

Meghan Markle upsets royals by keeping secret Hollywood agent and business team to run her career