On August 7, music producer David Foster hosted the David Foster and Friends foundation event in Victoria, British Columbia, where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were in attendance. A video of the moment went viral, showing Foster walking past Meghan Markle as she appeared to greet him on the red carpet before returning moments later with his wife, Katharine McPhee, to pose for a photo with the royal couple.
Foster denies snubbing Meghan Markle in a statement to People magazine, asserting that he had already greeted the couple at the event’s entrance 10 minutes prior to the red carpet encounter. He described Harry and Meghan as ‘dear friends’ and stated that the interaction was misrepresented by media outlets.
‘As the host of the David Foster and Friends foundation event, I had already greeted our friends, the Duke and Duchess, at the entrance 10 minutes before the red carpet encounter,’ Foster said. ‘They both, graciously and selflessly, gave their time and went beyond to engage with everyone. Harry and Meghan are dear friends of mine. Anyone watching can see there was no awkward moment and certainly no snub.’
Foster added that he believed the video was ‘deceptive’, claiming it was edited to imply an awkward exchange. ‘It’s sad that certain media chose to deceive a red carpet encounter for clickbait. They turned simple ‘positioning’ to get the best photo into a hurtful lie,’ he stated.
Background and Context
Foster and Markle have maintained a public friendship for years, strengthened through Foster’s wife, McPhee, who knew Markle from their shared history in musical theater. The connection was renewed in recent years, leading to closer ties between Foster, McPhee, and the Sussexes. Foster has previously been noted for his support during the couple’s transition in late 2019.
A representative for the Sussexes did not respond to requests for comment from multiple outlets. Foster’s statement did not address whether he had directly acknowledged Meghan Markle during the red carpet encounter, nor did it clarify the sequence of events leading to the viral video.
Public Reaction and Media Coverage
The video sparked speculation across social media and news outlets, with some viewers interpreting the moment as a deliberate slight toward Meghan Markle. The incident follows broader public scrutiny of interactions involving high-profile figures and the royal family.
Foster’s denial frames the event as a misunderstanding of positioning rather than an intentional act. The statement does not provide further details on the nature of his prior greeting to Harry and Meghan at the event’s entrance.
Ongoing Developments
No additional statements have been issued by the Sussexes’ representatives or Foster’s team regarding the incident. The viral video remains a topic of discussion among royal watchers and media analysts.