Meghan paid a special visit to the hospital as part of the Make March Matter campaign.
Meghan Markle surprised some young patients at the Children's Hospital Los Angeles!
The 42-year-old Duchess of Sussex dropped by the facility on March 21, as part of the Make March Matter campaign. During her visit, the 42-year-old duchess spent a special afternoon with young patients, as she read three of her favorite children's books including Rosie the Riveter, Pete the Cat, and I Saw a Cat.
Meghan, who was dressed in a chic floral ensemble, got into character and engaged with the young patients as she took her time reading all of the books. While reading, the duchess participated in STEAM activities tied to each book that let patients explore counting, colors, problem solving and more.
At the end of her visit, Meghan took fun Polaroid pictures, which she personally signed for each patient. Before heading out the door, she was gifted a sticker and a hug. Meghan was not joined by her husband, Prince Harry, or their children, Prince Archie, 4, and Princess Lilibet, 3.
The CHLA Literally Healing program gifts families at the facility more than 65,000 books annually and provides a unique opportunity to promote literacy. In addition, the program also helps by providing additional therapeutic literary resources.
The Make March Matter campaign is CHLA's annual fundraiser with a mission to create hope and health futures. The fund raised goes towards making sure the hospital can provide the best quality care to sick and injured children.
Meghan's visit comes amid health issues in the royal family. In February, King Charles announced that he was diagnosed with cancer. Shortly after, Meghan's husband, Prince Harry, made a brief trip to visit his father.
On March 22, Meghan's sister-in-law, Kate Middleton, shared in a public video statement that she had been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer --- following her planned abdominal surgery earlier this year -- and would continue to take time away from public duties, as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy.
In the hours following the news, Harry and Meghan spoke out in support of Kate.
"We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace," the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said in a statement to ET.
The prior week, Meghan and Harry traveled to Texas for SXSW. While in the Lone Star State, Meghan and Harry made a surprise visit to the family of Irma Garcia -- who was one of the 21 people killed during the 2022 Robb Elementary School shotting in Uvalde, Texas, on May 24, 2022.
The news was shared on X (formally Twitter) by Irma's nephew, John Martinez.
"MEGHAN MARKLE AND PRINCE HARRY CAME TO MY HOUSE !?!?!?! they’re such a beautiful couple and i’m so blessed, so glad they came to check up on the family #UvaldeStrong #MeghanMarkle #PrinceHarry," he tweeted alongside a series of photos featuring Meghan and Harry posing with various family members -- and a cute family pet.
During the visit, Meghan and Harry joined the family in singing "Happy Birthday" to Irma's sister (with a cake brought by Meghan) and spoke with Irma's children and husband.
Shortly after, Meghan made her return to Instagram with the announcement of her upcoming venture, American Riviera Orchard. Brining back her past social media lifestyle skills, Meghan appeared in a video on the account's Instagram Story set to Nancy Wilson's "I Wish You Love," picking fresh flowers and then standing in a kitchen cooking.
Remaining mum about the brand, the Instagram account's description simply reads, "by Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex."
Meghan and Harry have been estranged from the royal family in recent years after stepping back from their roles as senior royals in early 2021. Harry and Meghan returned to the U.K. together in 2022 where they attended the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
The couple relocated their family to California in 2020 and are parents to son Archie, 4, and daughter Lilibet, 2.
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