There wasn’t a dry eye courtside as Meghan Markle attended a heartfelt charity tennis tournament in Los Angeles over the weekend.
The Duchess of Sussex, joined by Prince Harry, became visibly emotional while supporting her longtime friend Kelly McKee Zajfen during an event held in memory of Kelly’s late son, George.
Remembering a Friend’s Son
The annual George Zajfen Tennis Tournament honors the life of Kelly’s son, who tragically passed away in 2022 at just nine years old after a sudden viral illness.
The event supports Alliance of Moms, a community helping young mothers, which Kelly co-founded.
Meghan shared several touching clips from the afternoon on Instagram, capturing the love, loss, and strength that filled the day.
She was seen wiping away tears as Kelly delivered a moving speech about her son’s memory.
Prince Harry stood quietly behind her, offering his steady support as his wife grew emotional.
A Day of Friendship and Support
Meghan, 44, chose a simple yet elegant look for the occasion—a sleeveless white belted midi dress with black buttons, brown flip-flops, and a cream handbag with tan leather handles.
The Duchess was photographed chatting warmly with Kelly, who wore a navy tennis-style mini dress trimmed in white, paired with Adidas sneakers and a chic clutch.
The two longtime friends were seen smiling through their emotions as they left the venue.
In one sweet moment captured on camera, Meghan gave Kelly a heartfelt hug, while another clip showed the Duchess posing with Kelly’s family, including daughter Lily.
Harry’s Tender Moments
Prince Harry also took part in the day’s warm atmosphere.
Dressed casually in a white polo and navy chinos, he was spotted smiling alongside Meghan and sharing a big hug with Kelly’s daughter Lily—sweetly captioned online as “Our other favorite Lily,” a nod to the couple’s daughter, Lilibet.
The entire Zajfen family gathered for photos on the court, marking another year of honoring George’s memory through sport and community.
A Friendship That’s Stood the Test of Time
Meghan and Kelly’s friendship stretches back nearly 20 years, long before royal titles or California estates.
The two first met through Meghan’s ex-husband, Trevor Engelson, and have remained close ever since.
Kelly recently spoke publicly about their bond, calling Meghan “endlessly inspiring” and “the most amazing, nurturing, fun, loving human.”
In a heartfelt post, Kelly recalled how Meghan attended her wedding 15 years ago and has been a pillar of support, especially after George’s passing.
“She’s been by my side since Georgie died,” Kelly wrote, “and I cherish our friendship very much.”
Back Home in California After a New York Getaway
The charity event marked Meghan and Harry’s return to Los Angeles after a short trip to New York earlier this month.
Meghan later shared a highlight reel from their getaway, offering a glimpse into her life off-duty.
The Instagram post showcased neat rows of designer shoes and clothing—carefully arranged in what appeared to be the couple’s New York apartment.
In one candid shot, Harry appeared barefoot in the background, grinning while wearing grey sweatpants and a t-shirt.
Meghan Pushes Back Against Critics
The Duchess’s recent social media posts come amid renewed criticism of her Netflix series, which some called “tone-deaf” and “out of touch.” Meghan, however, has defended her desire to live a grounded, relatable life.
In an interview earlier this year, she said she often spends time with “stay-at-home moms and working women with normal jobs” in California.
She described attending group yoga classes, school birthday parties, and playdates with other parents from her children’s school.
“Once you know us,” she said, “you realize we just want the same normalcy as any other family—for ourselves and for our kids.”
Finding Normalcy in Montecito
Meghan added that she’s found real community in Montecito, where she and Harry live with their children, Archie and Lilibet.
She shared that she’s part of text chains with other parents to plan playdates and family gatherings.
One parent from the school run even mentioned how relaxed Meghan seemed at a recent birthday party, chatting about “mom stuff and life” just like any other parent.
Friends of the Duchess say it’s clear she’s happiest when focusing on family, friendship, and small moments of normal life away from the spotlight.