Meghan Markle Appears Visibly Emotional at Charity Event for Pal's Late Son

Meghan Markle and her husband, Prince Harry, made a solemn public appearance to support their friends.

“Proudly supporting the George Zajfen Tennis Tournament,” Meghan, 44, wrote via her Instagram Stories on Saturday, October 18, referring to friend Kelly Zajfen’s event held in honor of her late son.

Zajfen, one of Meghan’s best friends, is the mother of twins George and Lily. George tragically died in July 2022 at the age of 9.

“Our other favorite Lily,” Meghan captioned a photo of Harry, 41, hugging Zajfen’s daughter during the athletic event. (Meghan and Harry are parents to Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4.)

Elsewhere during the memorial tournament, Meghan and Harry listened to Zajfen give a speech thanking attendees for their continued support. The Duchess of Sussex was even spotted wiping away tears, according to social media footage.

Zajfen, the founder of the Alliance of Moms organization, further thanked Harry and Meghan for their support in an Instagram post of her own. (The royal couple’s Archewell Foundation cosponsored the tournament.)

“What a day. 💙🎾 The George Zajfen Tennis Tournament was nothing short of extraordinary,” Zajfen wrote via Instagram on Saturday. “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!”

She continued, “I’m in awe of what we did together. Truly amazed. We raised a record-breaking $200,000 for our youth right here [in] Los Angeles and across California.  Your generosity and support continue to change lives and keep George’s light shining so brightly. YOU did that.”

Zajfen closed out her statement with a personal note to Harry and Meghan.

“Meg and H, You continue to amaze me with your commitment to community and your fierce loyalty and love in friendship,” Zajfen said, using the pair’s informal nicknames. “We are so grateful you chose to support The Alliance again this year. 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.”

Meghan and Zajfen have been friends for many years, with the nonprofit founder even making a cameo on the first season of Meghan’s With Love docuseries.

“Feeling so grateful to have been a part of With Love, Megan and even more grateful to witness my best friend shine so brightly,” she wrote via Instagram in March, celebrating the show’s Netflix premiere. “Meghan, you are pure magic and so full of love in everything you do — hosting, nurturing, creating joy. It all pours out of you so effortlessly, so beautifully, and not just on the show but every single day. This was truly one of the most memorable and joyful experiences.”

Zajfen concluded, “The whole day was beyond incredible and SO fun. The team, the production, the energy, the love — you truly are the most amazing hostess. It was felt by all.”

Zajfen appeared alongside Meghan’s former Suits costar Abigail Spencer for a cooking lesson from the duchess.