Kelly McKee Zajfen can’t help but gush over longtime bestie Meghan Markle.
“She’s my best friend and such a support,” Kelly told Us Weekly exclusively at the Alliance for Children’s Rights 34th Annual Champions for Children on Thursday, March 19, in Beverly Hills. “It’s incredible to watch her as a parent.”
Kelly added, “She leads also by example, and she’s such a warm light, and she always says yes, so it means everything.”
Meghan, 44, attended the event on Thursday in support of Kelly, who is gearing up to welcome her third child with husband Julian Zajfen. The couple are already parents to daughter Lily, 13, and her late son George, who died in 2020 at age 9 after a battle with COVID-19 and viral meningitis.
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Kelly told Us that she and Meghan may have known each other for 20 years but the friends “found each other again” after George’s death.
“She hasn’t left my side [since],” Kelly added. “It’s a beautiful example of friendship, and I love every bit of watching her be a mom and a wife, and she’s just incredible.”
Meghan shares son Archie, 6, and daughter Lilibet, 4, with husband Prince Harry.
“She is the most hands-on mom, and she loves to be a part of all of the things,” Kelly continued. “We spend a lot of time as families together. She has a little Lili, and we have big Lily, and it’s really beautiful.”
Kelly praised Meghan’s ability to “always” show up for those closest to her.
“It doesn’t matter what hour, it doesn’t matter what day,” Kelly told Us. “She could be busy, I could be busy. It doesn’t matter. We check on each other all the time, and it means everything.”
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Meghan returned the favor and spoke highly of Kelly during Thursday’s event while presenting her friend with the Francis M. Wheat Community Service award.
“I can attest to this with Kelly firsthand — the way in which she shows up for our children, and the way that we show up for each other’s daughters — our Lilys. She brings that same care to her community, lifting up friends and even strangers who need it,” Meghan gushed. “She’s a reminder of how far a mother’s love can reach. That’s something we both believe — when moms are supported and empowered, their impact extends far beyond their own families and into the heart of the community.”
