Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Gala Date Night Included a Surprise Moment That Had a Sweet Tie to Queen Elizabeth
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Gala Date Night Included a Surprise Moment That Had a Sweet Tie to Queen Elizabeth
Lara WalshMon, August 10, 2026 at 10:12 PM UTC
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Credit: Getty ImagesThe Gist -
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry had the sweetest reaction to a meaningful surprise during a gala date night on August 7.
The couple attended the David Foster Foundation’s 40th anniversary celebration in Victoria, British Columbia.
Meghan and Harry couldn’t contain their excitement during a performance that featured a sweet tie to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
A month after their visit to the U.K., Meghan Markle and Prince Harry appeared to be feeling nostalgic for their life across the pond as they enjoyed a glamorous gala date night on Friday. The 45-year-old As Ever Founder—who paid tribute to Princess Diana by rewearing her iconic diamond and sapphire earrings—had the sweetest reaction when she and Harry were surprised with an unexpected performance that nodded to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend the David Foster Foundation 40th Anniversary Celebration on August 7, 2026 in Victoria, British Columbia.Credit: Getty Images
Meghan and Harry enjoyed a night of music at the star-studded gala benefit celebrating the David Foster Foundation on August 7, but the most meaningful performance brought back memories from Harry’s royal upbringing.
In a video shared by the Suits alum, she could not contain her excitement when they walked into a hallway lined with bagpipe players. The musicians, who could be seen wearing traditional tartan kilts, played a melody on their bagpipes and drums as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex strolled past.
Meghan could be seen beaming and clapping her hands as she told the musicians, “My husband loves bagpipes.” Harry concurred, jokingly asking the ensemble, “Where are mine?” He clarified, “Pipes and drums, to be clear. Pipes and drums.”
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Queen Elizabeth II, Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, Prince William, and Kate Middleton watch a flypast to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on July 10, 2018 in London, England.Credit: Getty Images
Bagpipes have been closely linked to the royal family since Queen Victoria was first introduced to the instrument during a trip to Scotland in 1843. The late monarch even added the role of “Piper to the Sovereign” to her royal staff, a tradition that Queen Elizabeth famously continued throughout her reign.
A piper plays during the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on September 19, 2022 in London, England.Credit: Getty Images
Harry grew up hearing the Piper—or the “Pipes,” as Elizabeth used to call them—play a 15-minute tune under his grandmother’s balcony every morning at 9 a.m. when she was staying at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Balmoral, or Holyroodhouse. Per Hello!, King Charles has kept the tradition going by retaining Pipe Major Paul Burns, who ended his service to the queen by playing a song at Elizabeth’s funeral.
Harry previously opened up about hearing his grandmother’s morning ritual as well as how the Scottish instrument brings back memories of grieving Diana, who passed away in 1997.
“With bagpipes it’s not the tune, it’s the tone. Thousands of years old, bagpipes are built to amplify what’s already in the heart. If you’re feeling silly, bagpipes make you sillier,” he wrote in his memoir Spare. Harry continued, “If you’re angry, bagpipes bring your blood to a higher boil. And if you’re in grief, even if you’re twelve years old and don’t know you’re in grief, maybe especially if you don’t know, bagpipes can drive you mad.”
on InStyle
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
