Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are spotted upbeat and looking happy in Texas restaurant linked to their first date

The Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry were spotted upbeat and happy at a Texas restaurant that is linked to their first date. 

The couple were seen by onlookers on Thursday night at Soho House Austin, an exclusive members-only club, ahead of Meghan's appearance on a star-studded panel at the opening day of the SXSW festival in Texas alongside actress Brooke Shields and author Katie Couric.

Meghan, 42, and Harry, 39, took a trip from their home in Montecito, California, to the Austin restaurant where they were seen 'happy and in great spirits,' a source told People.com. 

'Harry was very animated throughout the dinner. They were super low key and seemed happy to be around the upbeat vibes at the lively venue,' the onlooker said. 

In July 2016, the couple had their very first date at the Soho House in London and even went back a second time at the club, the next day, as seen in a black and white photo of Meghan nestling into Harry's shoulder - the pair laughing.

Meghan, 42, and Harry, 39, took a trip from their home in Montecito, California, to the Austin restaurant where they were seen 'happy and in great spirits' 

The Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry were spotted at Soho House Austin on Thursday night ahead of her appearance on a star-studded panel at the opening day of the SXSW festival

In July 2016, the couple had their very first date at the Soho House in London and even went back a second time at the club the next day

The restaurant, which has made a reputation for itself since its inception, has boasted thousands of wealthy members worldwide including Prince Harry.  He recounted in his memoir the first time they met. 

'Red-cheeked, puffing, sweaty, half-an-hour late, I ran into the restaurant, into the quiet room, and found her sitting at a small area on a low velvet sofa in front of a low coffee table,' Harry recalled about their initial date in his memoir Spare.  

The smitten prince said that she was 'heart-attack beautiful' when he laid eyes on her that day. 

'I'd seen so many photos of her from fashion shoots and TV sets, all glam and glossy, but there she was, in the flesh, no frills, no filter... and even more beautiful,' he said. 

After their successful first date, Meghan facetimed Harry and they set up another date at the same restaurant the following night. 

Two years later, Meghan and Harry got married in the St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. 

A year after, the happy couple welcomed their first child, Archie in May 2019, and had their second child Lilibet in June 2021, and are 'loving life as a family-of-four.' 

In 2020, they decided to leave the Royal life behind and moved to the US, where they starred in a Netflix docuseries, launched a new website and released a book. 

The smitten prince said that she was 'heart-attack beautiful' when he laid eyes on Meghan on their first date

In recent news, Meghan has been searching for a UK PR guru with hopes to re-launch herself there. 

The Duchess of Sussex is looking for professional help to gain more positive publicity in Britain for herself and for Archewell, the foundation which she runs with Prince Harry in California.

A star hire will also help her amid persistent rumors her lifestyle blog The Tig could return, especially after her friend Gwyneth Paltrow's GOOP brand burst through the $250million value over Christmas.

The search for a UK PR executive is yet another sign that 2024 is the year the Sussexes will relaunch, and it appears despite being happy in California, they want to do more in Harry’s home country. 

But one senior PR executive based in London told MailOnline today: 'Many will turn it down. Representing the couple in the UK is a tantalizing thought but they don't have a reputation for listening to advice. What would be the point?'

It came as Prince Harry looks set to return to the UK in May for a St Paul's Cathedral service to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. The Government recently used its budget to launch a bid to host the event in Birmingham in 2027.

An insider told MailOnline today that the Sussexes can see an opportunity in Britain as King Charles' slimmed-down monarchy struggles because of the monarch's illness and William taking a backseat to support Kate after her abdominal surgery.

The Duchess of Sussex is looking for professional help to gain more positive publicity in Britain for herself and for Archewell, the foundation which she runs with Prince Harry in California

Meghan has been described as a 'visionary female leader' and is expected to discuss 'breaking barriers' and 'challenging stereotypes' as she addresses social media use at the SXSW festival on Friday 

Meghan has been described as a 'visionary female leader' and is expected to discuss 'breaking barriers' and 'challenging stereotypes' as she addresses social media use at the SXSW festival. 

South by Southwest, also referred to as SXSW, is an annual festival that celebrates the convergence of technology, film, music, education and culture, being held from March 8-16. 

Meghan is the headliner of the keynote event on Friday, which is also International Women's Day. 

According to organizers, the session is presented by Harry and Meghan's Archewell Foundation and The 19th, a US nonprofit newsroom that reports on gender, politics and policy.

Announcing its panel of 'visionary' women, the festival confirmed the session would focus on the dangers and mental health issues associated with social media users amongst teenage girls.

Alongside the fellow participants, Meghan will also talk about the importance of representation in media and entertainment. 

In a statement, the organizers said: 'Women's representation in media and entertainment has come a long way, but there's still much to be done, especially for women of color and mothers.' 

'On International Women's Day, we'll hear from visionary female leaders at the forefront of news, media, entertainment and philanthropy who are breaking barriers, challenging stereotypes, and working toward a healthier society on and off our screens.'