The Sussexes stepped out in LA to attend a charity event

Meghan Markle appeared to wipe away tears as she and Prince Harry made an appearance at the George Zajfen Tennis Tournament in Los Angeles on Saturday (October 18), to honour the memory of her close friend Kelly McKee Zajfen‘s late son.

The couple attended the fundraiser, held at the Los Angeles Tennis Club, in support of the Alliance for Children’s Rights, an organisation dedicated to providing legal aid, safe housing, education, and family support for vulnerable children and youth.

The event was especially meaningful to Meghan. Her long-time friend Kelly lost her nine-year-old son, George, in 2022 from Covid and viral meningitis.

Meghan Markle stepped out over the weekend with Prince Harry to attend a close friend’s charity event (Credit: Cover Images)

Meghan Markle tears up at charity event

In a video clip shared online, Meghan appeared visibly emotional during Kelly’s speech. The duchess stood alongside Harry as she wiped tears from her eyes.

Dressed in a sleeveless white halterneck dress by Carolina Herrera, the same one she previously wore in a sweet Easter video, Meghan paired her look with Jimmy Choo heels and a cream and gold Loro Piana handbag. Prince Harry, 41, stood protectively behind her in a white polo and black slacks.

Harry was also seen placing his hand on Meghan’s hip in a sweet show of support.

Meg & H, you continue to amaze me with your commitment to community and your fierce loyalty and love in friendship.

Later, Meghan shared photos and videos from the event on her Instagram Stories. One sweet video showed Kelly’s daughter, Lily, running onto the court to join her parents.

A second post showed Prince Harry embracing Lily with the caption: “Our other favorite Lily,” a warm nod to their own daughter, Lilibet.

Kelly and Meghan have been friends for many years (Credit: Photo by Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock)

Meghan Markle and Kelly McKee Zajfen’s friendship

Kelly, who co-founded the Alliance of Moms, also posted her own tribute after the event, including several pictures of Meghan and Harry interacting with guests. One sweet snap showed Meghan and Kelly walking hand-in-hand and smiling warmly at one another.

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

She revealed that the tournament raised a record-breaking $200,000 for the cause. Kelly publicly thanked the couple and their Archewell Foundation for being lead supporters for the second year in a row.

“Meg & H, you continue to amaze me with your commitment to community and your fierce loyalty and love in friendship,” she gushed. “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.”

In a recent Instagram Q&A, Kelly opened up about her long friendship with Meghan, revealing the two have known each other for nearly two decades.

“She even came to my wedding 15 years ago,” Kelly wrote. “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,” she added. Kelly was one of Meghan’s guests in the first season of With Love, Meghan.