Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Turn Out in Full Support of Serena Williams at the 2025 Baby2Baby Gala Before Heading to Kris Jenner’s 70th Birthday Bash
The glittering lights of Los Angeles’ West Hollywood shone a little brighter Saturday night as Meghan Markle and Prince Harry stepped out together in support of their longtime friend, Serena Williams, at the 14th annual Baby2Baby Gala held at the Pacific Design Center. The evening, which brought together Hollywood royalty, philanthropic heavyweights and athletes turned activists, was more than a fashionable red-carpet moment—it was a testament to purpose, legacy and connection. For the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, it marked another public demonstration of their evolving role in global charity, network and influence. The event also foreshadowed the next stop on their high-profile evening: a James Bond-themed party celebrating Kris Jenner’s 70th birthday.
From the moment they arrived hand-in-hand, the couple radiated coordination and intent. Meghan wore a sleek floor-length black gown while Harry opted for a classic black suit accented by a red poppy on his lapel—a respectful nod to the UK’s Remembrance Day. Together, they posed alongside Serena Williams, who gleamed in a stunning Pamella Roland gown, radiating the very excellence and advocacy that the gala aimed to honour. Their presence underscored how celebrity can converge with purpose—how an outing can serve as support, statement and spectacle all at once.
The evening’s honouree, Serena Williams, was awarded Baby2Baby’s coveted Giving Tree Award, recognising her advocacy for children, families, maternal health and communities of colour. Over the years, the organisation has provided millions of vital items—diapers, formula, emergency relief—to families in need. In her acceptance, Williams spoke about the power of community and the responsibility that accompanies influence. For Meghan and Harry, attending the gala meant aligning themselves with a message larger than red carpets: that whether through royal title, athletic record or charitable platform, influence can and should serve others.
Meghan’s attendance at the gala is rooted not simply in friendship but in history. She and Serena first met at the Super Bowl in 2010 and have remained in each other’s orbit ever since. That bond positioned Meghan not just as a guest, but as someone personally connected to the honouree’s journey. Her presence alongside Harry added weight, given the couple’s own philanthropic ambitions through the Archewell Foundation and their increasing visibility in humanitarian arenas. The decision to attend together offered a measure of unity and forward momentum for the Sussexes.
As the evening proceeded, the couple transitioned to the next high-profile engagement—Kris Jenner’s 70th birthday celebration held at the Beverly Hills estate of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez. The shift from charitable gala to glamorous party illustrated the dual roles many public figures maintain: advocate and attendee, purpose-driven and social. Still, the gala itself remained the focal point of the night—a space where laughter mingled with tribute, where gowns and tuxedos underscored a collective determination to do good.
Inside the ballroom, the mood felt electric. The gala raised substantial funds (reports suggest upward of $18 million) to support Baby2Baby’s year-round work. High-profile attendees including Meghan and Harry lent not only their star power but also their lived stories of parenting, public life, and the balance between spotlight and service. For Meghan in particular, the event marked a comfortable blend of style and substance: the actress-turned-royal-turned-philanthropist once again navigating a space where visibility and values intersect.
The influx of celebrities underscored the gala’s thrust: when people with resources, platforms and voices converge around urgent social issues, the result can transcend glamour. The event acknowledged floods, wildfires, economic fallout and food-insecurity—all of which place children and mothers in precarious positions. Baby2Baby’s mission is rooted in the idea that “essentials should not be a luxury,” and the star-turnout amplified that message. Meghan and Harry lending their presence wasn’t merely optics; it echoed the growing expectation that public figures show up for more than photo-ops.
Of course, in the world of international media and public fascination, attending such events always triggers speculation. For Meghan and Harry, stepping into the same room with Hollywood A-listers and athletes invited new scrutiny over their place in the social circuit, their philanthropic authenticity and their strategy for relevance. But their appearance at the gala reframed that conversation in a positive light: as people committed to a cause rather than a cameo. Meghan’s quiet smile while standing between Serena and the event hosts and Harry’s attentive presence suggested a couple neither overshadowing nor sidelined—but present, engaged and purposeful.
The gala also served as a reminder that legacy is built one event, one partnership, one commitment at a time. For Serena Williams, the Giving Tree Award was not just a badge—it was a call to action, a visible acknowledgement of her evolution from tennis icon to mother, investor and advocate. For Meghan and Harry, attending represented a step in their post-royal era journey: supporting global figures, refining their advocacy, and shaping their public identity not by titles alone but by impact.
Outside the ballroom, on the red carpet and beyond, the photographers captured what could have been mere celebration but turned into meaning. Meghan’s accessories, her choice of dress, her placement next to Kelly Sawyer Patricof and Norah Weinstein—the co-CEOs of Baby2Baby—signalled alignment with women-led philanthropy. Harry’s poppy pin served as subtle symbolism of remembrance, service and solidarity. The optics were precise, yet the atmosphere was warm, familiar and optimistic.
As the night drew on, and after their philanthropic appearance, Meghan and Harry slipped into the fabric of celebrity social life himself: the birthday party at Jenner’s estate. But for many observers, the gala remained the highlight—the moment where celebrity, charity and friendship converged. Where Meghan stood beside Serena as more than “friend of,” where Harry stood beside Meghan as more than “royal guest.” Where the public photograph held intimacy, conviction and connection.
In the days ahead, the impact of such appearances will likely unfold. Baby2Baby will benefit from fundraising success and heightened awareness. Meghan, Harry and Serena may leverage the moment into future collaborations, joint initiatives or advocacy partnerships. But even if no formal announcement arises, the image of the three standing together says more than words: it speaks to purpose, continuity and mutual respect.
Ultimately, what matters is not which party they attended afterwards or how many adoring eyes snapped their picture. It is the intention behind stepping into rooms of both light and responsibility. Meghan and Harry’s night out was more than a headline—it was a snapshot of modern philanthropy in motion, of friendships that persist, of platforms that shift toward purpose. In a world awash with image and influence, sometimes the measure of a photograph is simply: are they here for the cause, or for the applause?
For that night at the Baby2Baby Gala, at least, it seemed clear.
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