Inside Meghan and Kelly McKee Zajfen's friendship: Duchess is a 'guiding light' to former model after 9-year-old son's tragic death in LA home

When the Duchess of Sussex posed for photographs at a charity event yesterday evening, it wasn't Prince Harry 's hand she held, but her best friend Kelly McKee Zajfen's.

Meghan, 43, and her best friend, 44, took to the Los Angeles Children's Hospital Gala for a star-studded evening featuring a performance by Demi Lovato and appearances by presenters Kaley Cuoco , Jamie Lee Curtis and Colin Hanks.

Kelly and Meghan first met through the Duchess' ex-husband, Trevor Engelson, who is friends with the former model's entertainment lawyer husband.

Saturday's event was no doubt one close to Kelly's heart after her late son George died aged just nine in July 2022 after being found unresponsive in their family home.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have formed a vital part of Kelly and her husband Julian's support network, with the pair last month attending a tennis tournament the day before Harry's 40th birthday in remembrance of George.

Kelly, who co-founded Alliance of Moms, a non-profit that supports pregnant and parenting teens in the foster care system, praised Harry and Meghan for being a 'guiding light' following the tragic death of her son.

The 44-year-old's late son George was found 'unresponsive' in their family home in 2022, with his death coming as a complete shock to his loved ones and parents.

The former model, who is also mother to George's twin sister Lily, has opened up about grief on Instagram , writing in October 2022 that she was 'not really okay', while telling her followers: 'The light everyday is dim. I try my best. We are all trying our best. I'm so broken.

'I'm searching everyday to find some new way to mold the pieces back together and I'm completely aware that it may not all fit again.'

In May, she posted a heartfelt tribute to Meghan on her account, praising the Duchess of Sussex for her support and for her being such an 'incredible friend and mother'.

'You are always the first to say yes and support those you love. You are a fierce advocate for those who are in need,' Kelly continued on Instagram , while sharing an image of herself and the Duchess of Sussex both wearing 'Community Motherhood' T-shirts in support of an Alliance of Moms campaign.

Harry and Meghan donated $5,000 to a GoFundMe fundraiser in the names of their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet after the Zajfen family lost George.

Outside of their charitable pursuits, the duo also spend their downtime together, with Meghan enjoying a ski trip with Kelly and close friend Heather Dorak in March.

The Duchess of Sussex was pictured smiling with pilates business owner Dorak and former model Zajfen on the slopes of Powder Mountain near Salt Lake City in Utah, in an Instagram post shared by the founder of Pilates Platinum.

Kelly also shared the photo in an Instagram post of her own, writing: 'Beyond grateful for the best of friends! What a trip! Thank you doesn't even begin to express what my heart is feeling after this trip.

'The love of family time and adventure and belly laughs made this trip one for the books! Here's to many more adventures with friends that feel like family and appreciating each day.'

And one month later in April, Kelly was one of the first people to receive the duchess's American Riviera Orchard strawberry jam.

When Kelly took to Instagram to share a snap of the rustic looking product, she revealed she was 'so proud' of Meghan, who launched the first product from her new lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard.

Sharing a snap of the jam which was presented in a bowl of lemon's surrounded by flowers she wrote: 'Ohhhhh Just a taste of what's to come!!! So proud of you M The Duchess of Sussex sent friends the limited-edition jar ahead of the formal launch of her brand later this spring with a range of items.

Days after Kelly gushed over Meghan's new American Riviera Orchard jam on social media, the actress returned the favour by promoting her charity campaign.

Sharing promotional photographs on Instagram, Kelly said of her actress friends: 'You inspire me. You pick me up when I need it and you Love Like A Mother!'

The trio wore the shirts two weeks after Kelly launched her 'love like a mother' campaign, which aims to provide educational resources, doulas, healthcare, housing and therapy for young moms and their children.

Kelly's charity Alliance of Moms is a non-profit supporting young mothers in the foster care system.

In her Instagram post alongside Meghan, Kelly thanked the actresses for 'supporting this campaign and our youth.'

'When we speak about the people in our lives who lift us up when you need it with undeniable force of pure love I think of these two,' she wrote.

She added that proceeds from the sale of the T-shirts 'support essential services, education, and advocacy so that young parents in foster care and their children can heal and thrive.'

The duo once again proved their closeness in September when Prince Harry celebrated his 40th birthday weekend by attending a charity tennis tournament held in honour of Kelly's late son George.

The George Zajfen Tennis Tournament in Los Angeles for the Alliance for Children's Rights was in remembrance of George, who died aged in July 2022.

In an Instagram post shared on the day of Harry's birthday, former model Kelly and her family thanked the Sussexes for their support at the competition.

Alongside five photos, they wrote at the end of a long message: 'Extra special day too...HAPPY 40th Birthday H! May this trip around the sun be the best yet.'

The pictures in the post showed the Duke and Duchess posing with the Zajfen family — with Harry wearing a T-shirt and blazer, and Meghan wearing a tan dress.

The Zajfen family wrote on Instagram that it was an 'incredible day - full of emotions and lots of love' and the funds raised would 'go directly to supporting children in foster care, ensuring they have the legal protections, resources and opportunities they deserve in honour of our beautiful son Georgie'.

Their post continued: 'Our community showed up in a big way and I'm in awe! Get ready for days of posting images of this magical afternoon because I have so many people to thank and shout from the roof tops just how amazing you all are!

'But first, to our presenting sponsors, the Archewell Foundation. Harry and Meghan, you have been such a guiding light for our family not just in the way you have shown up in friendship but how you have shown up through the incredible work the Archewell Foundation does every day.

'I'm in awe of your commitment to community and to friendship. On behalf of the Alliance for Children's Rights, we thank you. On behalf of our family, we love you.'

The tournament, which has been held for 20 years but was recently renamed in honour of George, featured a round-robin doubles competition and a lunch.

Yesterday evening, Meghan continued her show of support to her best friend Kelly when they arrived at a charity event together.

The Duchess of Sussex spent yesterday evening greeting young fans as she attended the event in downtown Los Angeles without her husband Prince Harry.

Harry is believed to still be on his solo tour of South Africa, following a whistle-stop trip to the UK in recent weeks, also without Meghan.

Instead of attending with her husband, Meghan took to the event with best friend Kelly.

Sweet footage shows the Duchess greeting a family at last night's event before joking to a little boy about being up so late.

'It's past your bedtime for sure,' Megan said as she addressed the child, who was being held by his mother. She added: 'How old are they? Oh so really close to our kids. Three and five.'

The Duchess caught all eyes as she re-wore a striking red Carolina Herrera gown to the children's event.

Meghan previously wore the stunning gown at a 2021 gala in New York City to celebrate the military on the eve of Veterans Day in the US and Armistice Day in Britain.