June 14 is an important date for the British royal family. London gets ready for Trooping the Colour, the military parade that marks King Charles III's official birthday. As usual, the royal family will gather on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for the traditional family photo, with the King and Queen Camilla in the spotlight, along with the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, who will appear together again for this major public event.
While the British capital celebrates this famous parade, Meghan Markle is also engaged in an important event on the other side of the Atlantic. The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County planned to honor the Duchess of Sussex at the Night of Wonder gala. The event was meant to highlight her social work and support for underserved communities; it would have given her the chance to deliver a speech to an influential audience.
In the event announcement, Lori Bettison-Varga, the museum’s president and director, praised Meghan as an inspiring figure for Los Angeles. “We are proud to honor Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, a native Angeleno, whose work to advance community wellbeing and expand opportunity — especially for underserved communities — aligns with our equity-focused approach to developing science literacy for the next generation, including through our STEM and STEAM Pathways programs,” said Bettison-Varga.
The event, which was expected to be a major evening, was abruptly canceled due to escalating street protests that led to violence, arson, and a heavy National Guard presence in Los Angeles. Given the situation, as reported by People, the museum’s Board of Directors informed guests by email that organizers had made the “difficult decision” to postpone the gala, leaving in limbo what was meant to be one of the standout events on LA’s social calendar. Attendees missed their chance to see the Duchess of Sussex after already paying around $1,500 for their tickets. According to the outlet, after the cancellation was confirmed, guests were given the option to get a refund or secure a spot for the rescheduled event, though a new date has not yet been announced.
Was this a coincidence?
The cancellation of Meghan Markle's event has sparked all kinds of speculation. The date of the gala coincided with Trooping the Colour—the most important event on the British royal calendar—making it a key opportunity for her to strengthen her presence in the city’s social and cultural scene. With the gala no longer taking place due to unforeseen circumstances, the Duchess of Sussex won't be drawing attention away from the royal family on such a significant day.
Since relocating to California in 2020, the Duchess of Sussex has concentrated on initiatives that embody her values and dedication to social causes. In fact, during the recent wildfires that swept through Los Angeles, the Duchess of Sussex and her husband showed their support for those affected by donating essential supplies such as clothing, hygiene products, and emergency kits. TThey also actively partnered with World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit led by Spanish chef José Andrés, to help serve meals to victims and first responders at the Pasadena Convention Center. They extended a more intimate welcome to their evacuated friends by opening their Montecito home.
Meanwhile, in London, the British royal family continues their celebrations. Prince William will play a prominent role in the parade, while King Charles III will also take part, but in a carriage. FFor the second time since ascending to the throne, 76-year-old King Charles III will not ride on horseback during the traditional ceremony, thus breaking with an image that has seemed inseparable from the event for decades. IInstead, the monarch will travel by carriage next to Queen Camilla. According to The Times, this symbolic decision is mainly due to the progression of his health condition.