Meghan Markle was 'just there for the photographs' at LA Gala

Meghan Markle just attended the LA Children's Hospital Gala 'for the photographs', a former friend has claimed.

British socialite Lizzie Cundy, 56, was present at the event with the Duchess of Sussex last Saturday.

The Duchess of Sussex swapped her usual slicked-back hairstyle for a more wavy look and opted for minimal ­jewellery and more subtle make-up. 

Wearing a red dress she first wore in 2021, Meghan joked to a boy at the gala that 'it's past your bedtime for sure'.  She then told his mother: 'How old are they? Oh, so really close to our kids.' Harry and Meghan's son Archie is five and daughter ­Lilibet is three.

When the duchess wore the ­Carolina Herrera gown at a 2021 gala, she had heavy eye make-up. Saturday's solo appearance, which saw the train of her $5,990 (£4,568) dress removed for a simpler look, came as Harry embarked on a two-week 'quasi royal tour' without her.

Ms Cundy, 56, who wore a $339 (£259) Pia Michi dress to the event, told the Mail: 'There wasn't a great deal of warmth from people when she arrived. She wasn't there long – she seemed to be there for the photographs.'

She added: 'Meghan needs LA more than LA needs her. LA people feel they've been played by her. I'd have worn a different one if I'd known.'

Ms Cundy and the Duchess were previously friends after they met at a charity gala back in 2013. However, Meghan went on to 'ghost' Ms Cundy after she met Prince Harry.

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Ms Cundy added: 'Harry and Meghan were loved because they're part of the Royal Family, but they've bad-mouthed the royals, who are loved in LA. 

'It's a shame, because charity work is where her and Harry do great things.'

She was also disappointed to find that the Duchess of Sussex wore a similar dress to hers and said: 'I’d have worn a different one if I’d known.'

Speaking back in 2021, she said: 'We have a clip of her saying, 'I want to be a London girl, I love London men and I love everything to do with London.'

'I was asked to look after Meghan when she came over here. She wanted to meet someone.'

But the socialite claimed Meghan later cut all contact with her, adding: 'She ghosted me once the engagement hit. 

'She's ghosted quite a lot of people, obviously, including her family, so I'm not the worst person she's ghosted.' 

At the event last week, Meghan was joined on the carpet by Kelly McKee Zajfen, the co-founder for the Alliance of Moms, an LA 'community of philanthropists who support pregnant and parenting teens in LA's foster care system.'

Meghan then greeted Paul Viviano, a health care leader and a national children's health care advocate, giving him a warm hug after posing with Kelly.

It is also understood that Harry did not spend his 40th birthday night last month with Meghan, 43, and instead went hiking with friends.

The pair's separate engagements have raised speculation, though sources close to the Sussexes maintain it was Meghan who booked the hiking trip for Harry.

Contacts in California told the Mail they believe the new 'solo Harry' is his idea. 'I believe he wants space,' said one. 

A London source said: 'This definitely feels like he is upping his game to cement his position as a serious player on the international stage.  

'He's always been desperate to be taken seriously.'