NEED TO KNOW

  • Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attended the George Zajfen Tennis Tournament on Saturday, Oct. 18
  • The annual event is held in memory of Kelly McKee Zajfen’s son George, who died in 2022 at age nine
  • “Meg & H, You continue to amaze me with your commitment to community and your fierce loyalty and love in friendship,” Kelly said of the couple’s support

Prince Harry joined Meghan Markle in showing support for one of her close friends at a charity fundraiser in Los Angeles.

On Saturday, Oct. 18, the couple attended the George Zajfen Tennis Tournament at the Los Angeles Tennis Club. The event, held in memory of the late George Zajfen, raises funds for the Alliance for Children’s Rights, which provides legal services, safe housing, education, and family support for vulnerable children. 

The Duchess of Sussex’s close friend Kelly McKee Zajfen unexpectedly lost her son, George, in 2022. He was just nine when he died of Covid and viral meningitis.

Meghan, 44, appeared visibly emotional as Kelly addressed the audience at the tournament in a video a fan shared on Instagram.

Meghan Markle’s Instagram post.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex/Instagram

Meghan was seen wearing a sleeveless mid-length white dress while standing in front of Prince Harry, 41, who donned a white polo shirt and black slacks. She wiped her eyes as she watched the speech. 

The Duchess of Sussex later shared a compilation of videos and pictures from the tournament on her Instagram Stories. The post included a video of Kelly’s daughter Lily running onto the court to join her parents, and snaps of Meghan and Kelly hugging and walking side by side.

A second post showed Lily and the prince hugging, with the sweet caption, “Our other favorite Lily,” seemingly in reference to their own daughter Lilibet, 4.

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Prince Harry hugging Lily.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex/Instagram

Kelly, cofounder of Alliance of Moms, shared a reflection of the event on her Instagram, which included several snaps of Meghan and Prince Harry. 

“The George Zajfen Tennis Tournament was nothing short of extraordinary,” she wrote. “Our incredible community showed up with so much love, heart, and spirit for @allianceforchildrensrights and all in honor of our beautiful boy.”

“There were tears, hugs, and so much joy. Get ready for lots of photos coming your way,” Kelly added, before revealing that they raised “a record-breaking $200,000.”

She continued to thank sponsors Ziffren Brittenham and The Archewell Foundation, the latter of which is proudly supporting the tournament for a second year.

“Meg & H, you continue to amaze me with your commitment to community and your fierce loyalty and love in friendship. We are so grateful you chose to support The Alliance again this year,” Kelly wrote. “I’m always in awe of your ability to show up for others, for this cause, and for our family. Thank you for holding Georgie in your hearts and helping us carry his light forward.”

“We love you,” she concluded.

In September, Kelly shared insight into her friendship with Meghan during a Q&A session on her Instagram Stories. 

“I’ve actually known her for almost 20 years?” she wrote. “She even came to my wedding (15 years ago!), and she’s been the most amazing, nurturing, fun, loving human.”

“She’s been by my side, especially since Georgie died, and I cherish our friendship very much,” Kelly added.