Meghan Markle sought to ‘protect’ her ‘precious’ BFF Kelly Zajfen and ‘draw attention to her happy pregnancy’ on the red carpet last night, a body language expert has claimed.
The duchess was seen repeatedly cradling Kelly’s baby bump for the cameras, thrilled as her friend is expecting a baby boy – four years after tragically losing her nine-year-old son George to Covid-19 and viral meningitis.
‘Patting or holding Kelly’s baby bump, as she does here, is probably one of the biggest signals of strong trust and intimacy performed between the women. Meghan’s eyes scan round the cameras as she draws attention to her friend’s happy pregnancy,’ body language expert Judi James told the Daily Mail.
All eyes were on the Duchess of Sussex and the Alliance of Moms co-founder as they stepped out on the red carpet for the Alliance for Children’s Rights’ 34th Annual Champions for Children event in Los Angeles.
The charity bash at the luxury Beverly Wilshire hotel marked Meghan’s first public appearance since she took personal control of her As Ever brand following the end of her Netflix partnership.
Setting aside her reported Netflix woes, the Duchess, 44, who donned a stylish navy Ralph Lauren strapless gown and black Stuart Weitzman sandals, appeared to be on fine form.
Meghan and Kelly, who have been friends for more than two decades, displayed ‘prom night friendship rituals’ as they beamed on the red carpet together – repeatedly hugging and holding hands in a fond public display of their close bond.
Yet according to Judi James, Meghan and Kelly’s tactile red carpet display held an even deeper meaning.
Analysing footage of the pair on the red carpet, she noted that Meghan’s ‘encircling arm’ around Kelly, 45, ‘not only showed the tightness of their relationship, but also suggested a desire to protect her friend’.
Ms James told the Daily Mail: ‘She presses her head in against Kelly’s head to show levels of trust and she closes her eyes at one point in a gesture that would signal a sentimental version of love.’
Meghan Markle sought to ‘protect’ Kelly Zajfen and ‘draw attention to her precious BFF’s happy pregnancy’ on the red carpet last night, a body language expert has revealed
Meghan Markle sought to ‘protect’ Kelly Zajfen and ‘draw attention to her precious BFF’s happy pregnancy’ on the red carpet last night, a body language expert has revealed
Ms James told the Daily Mail: ‘Patting or holding Kelly’s baby bump as she does here is probably one of the biggest signals of strong trust and intimacy performed between the women here’
Ms James told the Daily Mail: ‘Patting or holding Kelly’s baby bump as she does here is probably one of the biggest signals of strong trust and intimacy performed between the women here’
Meghan’s desire to hold Kelly’s baby bump also served as a strong indicator of their ‘precious’ bond, according to Ms James.
She added that at one stage, Meghan ‘leans so far in over Kelly and her baby bump’ that it prompts Kelly to ‘lean backwards’. In response, Meghan is seen enacting a ‘playful laugh’.
Detailing how the duchess seeks to serve a caring and defensive role here, Ms James noted that the former Suits star placed a ‘protective-looking pat on Kelly’s back’.
Meanwhile, when the pair first arrived at the star-studded red carpet event, Meghan was spotted ‘performing a courteous hand clasp with Kelly’s hand pointing downward’.
‘It was as though Meghan was delivering her onto the red carpet and showing how precious she is to her,’ added Ms James.
Footage of the BFFs inside the swanky Four Seasons hotel showcased yet another ‘encircling and clinging hug’.
‘However, as they were walking towards the cameras, it’s Kelly’s hand on top as she appears to take her turn to be supportive,’ the expert noted.
‘Kelly is leading a slightly more vulnerable and smiling Meghan to meet other guests,’ claimed Ms James, as the duchess fondly embraced other attendees.
Last night, the charity co-owner fondly praised the duchess’s commitment to her charity as ‘truly inspiring’ and told the former Suits star: ‘I’m so grateful to have you by my side.’
Footage of the BFFs inside the swanky Four Seasons hotel showcased ‘another encircling and clinging hug’. Ms James added: ‘Kelly is leading a slightly more vulnerable and smiling Meghan to meet other guests’
Footage of the BFFs inside the swanky Four Seasons hotel showcased ‘another encircling and clinging hug’. Ms James added: ‘Kelly is leading a slightly more vulnerable and smiling Meghan to meet other guests’
The close friends are believed to have first met through the duchess’s ex-husband, Trevor Engelson, who is friends with the former model’s entertainment lawyer husband.
In November, Kelly announced she was expecting a baby boy after the tragic loss of her nine-year-old son to Covid in July 2022.
At the time of George’s death, Meghan, 44, and Prince Harry, 41, showed their support by donating $5,000 to a GoFundMe set up in George’s honour, attributing the donation to their two children, Lilibet, four, and Archie, six.
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.
In the years since George’s tragic death, Meghan and Harry have attended several of Kelly’s charity events and initiatives in memory of the nine-year-old.
These included a charity tennis tournament in honour of George, which also took place around Prince Harry’s 40th birthday.
The pair are also known to express public displays of affection while making public appearances together, with their tactile bond shown during an event to support LA Children’s Hospital in October 2024.
While posing for photos, the BFFs were seen holding hands and sweetly beamed at one another.
The close friends are believed to have first met through the Duchess’s ex-husband, Trevor Engelson, who is friends with the former model’s entertainment lawyer husband
The close friends are believed to have first met through the Duchess’s ex-husband, Trevor Engelson, who is friends with the former model’s entertainment lawyer husband
Outside of their charitable pursuits, the duo also spend significant amounts of their downtime together, with Meghan enjoying a ski trip with Kelly and close friend Heather Dorak in early 2024.
Speaking in an Instagram Q&A session in September 2025, Kelly made her fond feelings for Meghan abundantly clear when she gushed about how the duchess has ‘endlessly inspired’ her.
A second question read: ‘How did you meet Meghan M?! Love seeing you two on here and the joy you bring out in each other.’
Kelly shared a sweet response and highlighted their close friendship over many years, writing: ‘Ahh thank you! I’ve actually known her for almost 20 years? She even came to my wedding (15 years ago) and she’s been the most amazing, nurturing, fun, loving human.
‘She’s been by my side, especially since Georgie died, and I cherish our friendship very much.’
Meghan’s red carpet appearance comes amid a series of reports about the Sussexes’ public break-up with Netflix, with the streamer said to be ‘done’ with the royal couple, according to Hollywood’s entertainment bible Variety.
In an extensive feature piece, dozens of well-placed insiders claimed that the two parties’ union had been ‘far from a fairy tale’.
‘The Sussexes’ perceived pattern of selling repackaged versions of the same story about their exit from royal life has exhausted Netflix,’ the magazine says.
The article also claimed: ‘Their partnership may continue to taper off, and with it will Meghan and Harry’s remaining showbusiness lifeline.’
Meanwhile, one source was quoted as saying: ‘The mood in the building is “We’re done.”‘
The ‘lacklustre’ ratings for their shows, such as With Love, Meghan, are said to have raised doubts, while the couple’s company, Archewell Productions, is also accused of ‘poor communication’ in dealings with Netflix.
Netflix chief Ted Sarandos is also said to be ‘fed up with the pair’ – a claim strongly denied by both Netflix and a lawyer for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
The Daily Mail revealed that Mr Sarandos quietly unfollowed Meghan Markle and As Ever on Instagram around the time her brand was purged by the streamer a month ago.
His wife Nicole Avant does still follow Meghan on Instagram – but not As Ever. A Netflix source told the Daily Mail: ‘Nicole and Meghan are still friends.’
According to Variety, Netflix paid around £45million for a five-year deal with the Sussexes but was ‘annoyed’ by the couple’s decision to give a tell-all interview to Oprah Winfrey after quitting the Royal Family.
The company was also said to have been ‘blindsided again’ by Harry’s decision to publish his memoir Spare, details of which were ‘downplayed’ by Meghan.
The magazine suggested executives felt both projects impacted Harry and Meghan’s Netflix documentary.
However, a spokesman for the Sussexes insists they co-operated with Netflix throughout.
