Meghan Markle Has ‘Relatable’ Moment with Mom at Children’s Hospital L.A. Gala: ‘It Was Incredibly Sweet’

Mar. 15, 2025

Francis Nelson, Ella Nelson, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and parents Megan and Marcus attend the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Gala 2024 at JW Marriott LA Live on Oct. 5, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.Photo:Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty

Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty

Meghan Marklehad a “relatable” moment with a fellow mom during hersurprise appearanceat the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles 2024 Gala.

After walking the green carpet during her unexpected appearance at the event on Saturday, Oct. 5, Meghan spotted a former CHLA cancer patient named Ella, who was with her parents, Megan and Marcus, and her little brother Francis. According to an attendee at the gala, Meghan went up to Ella, crouched down to her level, asked what her name was and told her she was beautiful. She then introduced herself to Ella’s family and took photos in an unplanned interaction.

At one point, Meghan had a brief exchange with Ella’s mother, also named Megan, about how they both have two young kids, and Meghan mentioned her two children were at home. Meghan, 43, is mom toPrince Archie, 5, andPrincess Lilibet, 3, whom she shares with husbandPrince Harry.

Meghan Markle at the 2024 CHLA Gala held at the L.A. Live Event Deck on Oct. 5, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.Alberto Rodriguez/Variety via Getty

Alberto Rodriguez/Variety via Getty

“It was incredibly sweet, and at one point Ella’s mom and Meghan had a relatable moment about having two young kids,” an attendee tells PEOPLE.

The guest adds, “Meghan was lovely, and there was no pretense about her. She was smiling and happy to shake hands with anyone who approached her.”

Ella was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma when she was just two years old in 2020, and her family moved across the country from Virginia to California to receive treatment at CHLA.According to CHLA, Ella has shown no evidence of the disease since 2021, and officially completed treatment in June 2022. Ella’s mother Megan told the hospital that she believes “the best decision we made as a family was to come to CHLA.”

At the Oct. 5 event, Meghan sat with CHLA CEO Paul S. Viviano and at the same table asJimmy Kimmeland wifeMolly McNearny.

“She was so approachable and accessible,” an attendee says of Meghan. “It was refreshing.”

Meghan Markle greeting Ella Nelson at the 2024 Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Gala on Oct. 5, 2024.Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

Though her appearance at the gala was a surprise, Meghan has been a longtime supporter of the hospital. On March 21, Meghan visited CHLA to lead a Literally Healing session, where she used her acting chops to illuminate storytime with the kids.

“Children were laughing and singing as the Duchess turned into character with every page as she read patient favorite books likeRosie the Riveter,Pete the CatandI Saw a Cat,” according to a statement. Meghan gave animated readings, adding voice inflections and gestures to go along with the stories, and as she excitedly showed the cover ofRosie Revere, Engineer, she told the group, “This is one of my favorites,”according to a video from the visit.

“The Benchstarted as a poem I wrote for my husband on Father’s Day, the month after Archie was born,” Meghan said in the press release from publisher Random House Children’s Books. “That poem became this story.”

At the Oct. 5 gala, Meghanrecycled a red Carolina Herrera gownshe originally wore in November 2021 alongside Harry at the Salute to Freedom gala honoring veterans at the Intrepid Museum in New York City ahead of Veterans’ Day in the U.S. and Remembrance Day in the U.K. For her Oct. 5 rewear of the dress, the sweeping red train from the 2021 appearance was absent.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend as Intrepid Museum hosts Annual Salute To Freedom Gala on Nov. 10, 2021 in New York City.Theo Wargo/Getty

Theo Wargo/Getty

At the event Saturday, Meghan said the hospital was the “best place in the world” for children to receive treatment, she said in an interview shared onInstagram.

“Oh my goodness, the work they do at Children’s Hospital L.A. is otherworldly, and I think from my standpoint at a mother, no one wants to be in a position where you need to go to a place like this, but if you have to, the best place in the world you could go would be Children’s Hospital L.A.,” she said.

“The staff is incredible, and the amount of work they do for families that really could not afford this level of care is something that I think should never be overlooked,” Meghan continued. “So I’m just grateful for everything they do,” she said, adding that she was “happy to be here to support.”

The gala takes place every two years and pays tribute to CHLA’s patients and hospital pediatric workers, which include some of California’s best physicians, researchers and caregivers, according tothe hospital’s website.

Harry,who has been in Lesotho this week, did not attend the event with his wife. Meghan walked the carpet holding hands with friend andAlliance of Momsco-founder Kelly McKee Zajfen, who haspreviously called the Duchess of Sussex“a fierce advocate for those who are in need.”

Kelly McKee Zajfen and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex at the 2024 CHLA Gala held at the L.A. Live Event Deck on Oct. 5, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.Alberto Rodriguez/Variety via Getty

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A close source previously told PEOPLE that Meghan and Harry are going througha shift professionally. “It’s clear that a twin-track approach is evolving,” a friend said.

Another royal source added, “The Duke and Duchess have now hit their stride as individuals — not just as a couple. The Duke appears focused on his patronage work, and the Duchess focused on her entrepreneurial track.”

source: people.com