Meghan Markle once again found herself in the spotlight, this time at the Los Angeles Children's Hospital gala, where her presence was met with raised eyebrows.
Allegedly, Meghan arrived uninvited, yet she was not alone—her assistant, Ashley Hansen, accompanied her, guiding her through the event like a human GPS navigating a maze of social complexities. At one point, Ashley even had to physically direct Meghan towards Kelly Zen, an actual ambassador for the hospital, likely hoping a photo with someone of relevance would help Meghan blend in. However, Meghan’s attempt to strike up a rapport with Kelly quickly unraveled.
Kelly, ever the professional, maintained a polite smile—the kind that graces the face of an air hostess—but her eyes told a different story, sending subtle signals of discomfort. Meanwhile, Meghan was in full “let’s pretend we’re best friends” mode, leaning into Kelly in an overly familiar way. Kelly, however, was clearly not interested, pulling back as though trying to escape an uncomfortable situation. Her body language spoke volumes, resembling a cat reluctantly enduring a bath. One could almost imagine her inner thoughts: “How did I end up in this awkward exchange?”
Then came the moment that has since been dubbed the “infamous double claw.” Meghan, in a bid to solidify the uncomfortable encounter, grabbed Kelly’s arm with both hands, clutching it to her body as if it were a prized possession. It was as though Meghan had found herself an unwilling prop to enhance her public image. Despite Kelly’s visible unease, Meghan remained focused on the cameras, seemingly treating Kelly as little more than an accessory to complement her outfit, oblivious to her discomfort.
But the spectacle didn’t end there. After Kelly had had enough and made a swift exit, Meghan’s eyes landed on her next target: a family of color with young children. Rather than engaging with the children, as one might expect from a fellow mother, Meghan's attention was solely on the parents. She made small talk about her own children, emphasizing how close in age they were to the family's kids, perhaps hoping to create an instant bond. However, the interaction felt forced, cold, and impersonal, as though she were reading lines from a script. After securing a photo with the family, she offered a hollow “Have fun tonight” and promptly turned back to the cameras, her true focus.
Speculation swirled that Meghan had possibly managed to attend the event as Kelly Zen’s reluctant plus-one, leveraging an earlier invitation she and Harry had received for a tennis event. It’s possible that Meghan saw the gala as another opportunity to generate headlines and garner attention. However, judging by Kelly's strained expressions, it was clear that she had not anticipated this forced "friendship" routine from Meghan.
On top of the awkward interactions, Meghan’s fashion choices raised more than a few eyebrows. She opted to re-wear the now-infamous “inverted nipple dress,” a sartorial choice that previously landed her on worst-dressed lists. The gown, which some speculated was an attempt to channel Lady Gaga’s bold style, missed the mark entirely. Instead of making a stylish statement, it only reminded people of one of her previous fashion missteps. To add to the disarray, her hair and makeup looked unkempt, contributing to an overall vibe of having rolled out of bed and stumbled into the event.
From awkward arm-grabbing to seemingly prioritizing the cameras over genuine interaction, Meghan’s presence at the gala appeared more focused on making the event about herself, rather than the cause at hand. It remains a mystery why some continue to tolerate this kind of spectacle, but one thing seems certain: Meghan's antics are unlikely to fade away. Whether she’s attempting to reinvent herself as a humanitarian or is simply seeking more photo opportunities, her approach continues to raise eyebrows and fuel speculation about her true motives.
