Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made a rare joint red-carpet appearance in Canada on Friday, Aug. 7, attending a gala marking 40 years of fundraising by the David Foster Foundation.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived at the Victoria Conference Centre in Victoria, British Columbia, where they greeted David Foster and his wife, singer Katharine McPhee.
The event brought together musicians, actors, athletes and business figures to celebrate the foundation’s work supporting Canadian families with children undergoing life saving organ transplants.
Meghan, who recently celebrated her 45th birthday, wore a black one-shoulder draped dress by Canadian designer Greta Constantine.
She completed the look with diamond and sapphire earrings that previously belonged to her late mother in law, Princess Diana. Harry wore a traditional black tuxedo and bow tie.
The appearance was notable because the couple have made fewer joint public appearances in recent months, while separately pursuing their projects and public engagements.
Meghan’s Connection to Princess Diana’s Jewelry
The earrings are among several pieces from Princess Diana’s personal jewelry collection that Meghan has worn over the years.
She previously wore Diana’s jewelry during significant public appearances, including a diamond cross necklace during the couple’s 2024 visit to Nigeria for the Invictus Games.
Meghan also wore Diana’s aquamarine ring on her wedding day in 2018. The latest appearance came shortly after Meghan and Harry shared photographs from a family trip to Althorp, the Spencer family estate and childhood home of Princess Diana.
One photograph showed their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, walking through the estate.
Harry and Meghan’s relationship with David Foster dates back several years. In 2019, Foster helped arrange for the couple to stay at a mansion on Vancouver Island while they were seeking privacy.
Foster later told the Daily Mail that he was happy to help Meghan and described the time away as a respite for the couple.
The friendship continued after Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties and relocated to California.
In 2020, Foster’s wife, Katharine McPhee, described the relationship between Foster and Harry as particularly close, saying the two had developed a bond.
McPhee and Meghan also knew each other from childhood. The couples were later seen together on a double date at Lucky’s Steakhouse in Montecito.
Canada Remains Significant to Harry and Meghan
The appearance also highlighted the couple’s longstanding connection to Canada.
Meghan lived in Toronto while filming the television series Suits, and she and Harry made their first public appearance as a couple at the Toronto Invictus Games in 2017.
The couple later spent their first holidays as a family of three in Vancouver in 2019. They returned to Vancouver for the 2025 Invictus Games.
Harry and Meghan also spent time on Vancouver Island in 2019 while considering their future outside the royal family.
The David Foster Foundation began in 1986 after Foster’s mother asked him to help a young Victoria girl awaiting a liver transplant. The organization’s first fundraising event was a celebrity softball game.
According to information provided for the anniversary event, the foundation has since raised millions and helped roughly 1,600 Canadian families with children requiring life saving organ transplants.
It currently assists more than 100 families each year. Foster said holding the anniversary celebration in Victoria was particularly meaningful because of his connection to the city.
The anniversary celebrations continued with a free concert at Victoria’s Inner Harbour on Aug. 8. Foster and McPhee were scheduled to perform alongside artists including CeeLo Green and Josh Groban.
The concert was also scheduled to feature Adam Levine and James Valentine of Maroon 5, Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger and other performers, with fireworks.
A drone show and appearances by the Canadian Forces Snowbirds and Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 Hornet fighter jets.
Why did Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend the David Foster gala?
They attended the event in Victoria to support their longtime friend David Foster and celebrate the 40th anniversary of his foundation’s fundraising work.
What jewelry did Meghan Markle wear?
Meghan wore diamond and sapphire earrings that previously belonged to Princess Diana.
What is the David Foster Foundation?
The foundation supports Canadian families with children who require life saving organ transplants, including help with non medical expenses.
