Sources close to musician David Foster have explained that a moment perceived as an awkward snub of Meghan Markle at a recent charity event was an accident. Viral footage showed Foster appearing to overlook Markle as she extended her hand to greet him on the red carpet before he proceeded to pose for a group photo.
According to insiders cited by the Daily Mail, Foster "genuinely just didn't see" Markle, who is the founder of the brand "As Ever." The sources emphasized that Foster "wanted Harry and Meghan" at the event and is a longtime supporter of Prince Harry and his late mother, Princess Diana. "It was a genuine moment where he didn't see them and nobody really thought much of it. It's nothing," one insider stated.
Another source added that Foster was "so excited to see Harry and Meghan" and that the alleged snub was a result of his duties as host. "As host of the evening, David had a lot going on at the moment. David was doing interviews in that moment too." The insider also noted that Foster had already greeted the couple prior to the red carpet photo opportunity. "They had already said hi before that photo moment. There were lots of hugs and David introduced Harry & Meghan to his other family there."
The incident occurred at the 40th anniversary of the David Foster Foundation in Victoria, British Columbia. The foundation, established in 1986, provides financial assistance to Canadian families with children requiring life-saving organ transplants and aims to raise awareness for organ donation.
Markle and Prince Harry were prominent guests at the event, seated next to Foster and his wife, Katharine McPhee. Markle wore a black one-shouldered gown by Greta Constantine and accessorized with earrings that previously belonged to Princess Diana. Harry wore a black tuxedo.
Foster and McPhee have maintained a friendship with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for some time. In 2019, Foster facilitated the couple's stay at a friend's estate on Vancouver Island. McPhee, who attended school with Markle, has spoken about the close relationship between Prince Harry and her husband. "They're so cute. They're like father and son," she told Access Hollywood in 2020. "We just stay in touch with them [the Sussexes]. But mostly, Meghan and I knew each other from childhood, but really Harry and my husband are friends. It's really nice."