It was an emotional afternoon for Meghan Markle as she stood courtside beside Prince Harry, wiping away tears during a charity tennis tournament held in memory of her close friend’s son.
The Duchess of Sussex joined her longtime friend, Kelly McKee Zajfen, for the annual George Zajfen Tennis Tournament in California — an event created to honor Kelly’s nine-year-old son, George, who tragically passed away in 2022 after a sudden viral illness.
A Touching Tribute Filled with Love and Support
The event, which supports the Alliance of Moms — a community co-founded by Kelly that helps young mothers — drew an emotional response from attendees and viewers alike.
As Kelly delivered a heartfelt speech remembering her little boy, Meghan stood nearby visibly moved, occasionally dabbing her eyes while Harry stood protectively behind her, offering quiet support.
After the ceremony, Meghan was seen warmly embracing Kelly, both women smiling through tears in a moment that spoke volumes about their decades-long friendship.
Meghan’s Elegant Look for the Emotional Day
The Duchess kept her outfit simple but chic for the touching occasion.
She wore a sleeveless white belted midi dress with black buttons, paired with dark brown flip-flops and a cream handbag accented with tan handles.
Her style was understated, allowing the focus to remain on the meaning of the day.
Kelly, meanwhile, looked effortlessly stylish in a navy tennis-inspired mini dress with white trim, matched with black and white Adidas trainers and a sleek clutch.
The two friends — who’ve known each other for more than 20 years — were later seen leaving the venue together, appearing reflective yet content after the emotional event.
Heartwarming Moments Shared on Instagram
Meghan later took to Instagram to share highlights from the day, posting videos and photos from the tournament, including a sweet clip of her hugging Kelly and a cheerful moment where she posed with Kelly’s daughter, Lily.
Another touching image showed Meghan and Harry sharing a quiet moment together, the Duchess placing a hand on her husband’s chest as they smiled for the camera.
In a later post, Harry was seen giving young Lily a big, affectionate hug, with the caption playfully reading, “Our other favorite Lily,” — a nod to their own daughter, Lilibet, who is four.
A Friendship That’s Stood the Test of Time
Kelly and Meghan’s friendship dates back nearly two decades.
Kelly, a former model, has often spoken warmly about their bond — one that began when Meghan was still married to her ex-husband, Trevor Engelson.
In a recent Q&A on social media, Kelly revealed that Meghan has always been “nurturing, loving, and fun,” adding that she’s been a constant source of strength, especially since the loss of her son George.
“She’s been by my side through everything,” Kelly shared. “I cherish our friendship so much.”
A Glimpse into Meghan’s Life in California
The Sussexes’ trip to the tennis event came shortly after returning from a holiday in New York City — a getaway Meghan had documented on Instagram.
Her posts included glimpses of her wardrobe for the trip, from rows of designer heels to racks of carefully arranged outfits in her apartment.
In one candid moment, Prince Harry appeared barefoot in the background, grinning as Meghan showed off her stylish setup.
The images gave fans a peek into the couple’s quieter, more personal life away from royal duties.
Meghan Pushes Back Against Criticism of Her Lifestyle
The Duchess’s renewed social media presence comes after her Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, received criticism for being “out of touch.”
But Meghan pushed back on that label earlier this year, saying that she and Harry are doing their best to live as “normal parents” in their Montecito community.
She explained that she regularly attends local yoga and fitness classes — sometimes with friends, sometimes alone — and even joins other moms for playdates and birthday parties.
“Once you know us, you see that we want the same normalcy for our children as any other parents,” she told People magazine.
Building a Simple, Grounded Life in Montecito
In her interview, Meghan spoke about finding genuine friendships with other moms in California — both stay-at-home parents and working women with regular jobs.
“We went from just connecting through our kids to having girls’ nights and Pilates sessions together,” she said.
Locals have shared that Meghan often chats easily with other parents at school events, talking about “mom stuff” and everyday life.
According to a friend, “You can see that, as a unit, Meghan, Harry, and the kids are really connected.”
It’s clear that amid the glitz of royal life and the glare of public attention, Meghan Markle continues to find grounding moments — whether through emotional charity events, lifelong friendships, or the small, simple joys of family life in California.