Prince Harry and Meghan Markle traveled to Victoria, British Columbia, for the David Foster Foundation’s 40th anniversary celebration over the weekend, where the couple made a touching impression on attendees at the star-studded gala.
American Idol alum Pia Toscano, who is expecting her first child in December, had a particularly meaningful moment with the Duchess of Sussex. After performing “Feeling Good” at the black-tie event, Toscano approached Harry and Markle at the head table. According to Toscano, the Duchess touched her stomach and the couple embraced her with congratulations. “This is the most beautiful time of your life,” Meghan told her. Toscano also recalled that Harry graciously moved a chair for her during the interaction.
The couple’s presence marked a rare public outing for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Meghan, 45, turned heads on the red carpet in a black one-shoulder gown by Canadian designer Greta Constantine, complemented by an especially meaningful accessory—diamond and sapphire earrings that once belonged to Princess Diana. Harry, 41, was smartly dressed in a traditional black tuxedo and bow tie.
Harry and Meghan have long-standing connections to Canada and to Foster specifically. Meghan and Foster’s wife, actress and singer Katharine McPhee, have known each other since childhood. In 2019, Foster helped arrange for the couple to stay at a mansion on Vancouver Island as they were considering their step back from royal duties. Meghan also lived in Toronto while filming the television series Suits.
Another performer at the event, Britain’s Got Talent 2024 winner Sydnie Christmas, also found the couple to be warm and gracious. After her performance of songs including “Tomorrow” from Annie and Frank Sinatra’s “My Way,” Harry approached her. “Sydnie, I felt every word. I really felt that in the back of my throat,” he told her, later pulling her into an embrace. Christmas later revealed to The Sun that she had made a joke during her performance about meeting Harry’s father, King Charles, jokingly saying, “Sorry he couldn’t make it. He sent me instead.” Harry took the comment in good humor and laughed heartily at the remark.
The three-day celebration marked a historic milestone for the David Foster Foundation. The Friday night gala raised a staggering $14.5 million, making it the organization’s final large-scale fundraising event. The foundation, established in 1986, provides financial support to Canadian families with children in need of life-saving organ transplants, covering non-medical expenses such as accommodation, travel, groceries, utilities, and mortgage payments. Since its inception, the foundation has supported more than 1,600 families.
The gala brought together an impressive roster of entertainment industry figures and philanthropists. In attendance were Bill Gates, Grammy-winning musicians Adam Levine of Maroon 5 and Josh Groban, Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger, actress Melissa Peterman, Canadian accessibility advocate Rick Hansen, and CeeLo Green. Foster’s wife, Katharine McPhee, hosted the event alongside her husband.
The weekend’s festivities extended beyond the Friday gala. On Saturday, a free public concert featuring Foster and friends took place at Victoria’s Inner Harbour, drawing an estimated 70,000 attendees. Pia Toscano also performed at the concert, paying tribute to early Foster discovery Celine Dion with renditions of two of her signature songs. The evening culminated in a massive fireworks display and aerial show featuring 400 drones.
The visit comes just days after Meghan celebrated her 45th birthday on August 4, which she marked by sharing playful photos of herself jumping into a swimming pool while holding balloons on Instagram.