Meghan Markle’s sweet gift from Archie and Lilibet and heartfelt gesture to parent of ailing son
Meghan has built a close-knit group of mum friends in Montecito
Meghan Markle involved her children Archie and Lilibet in a sweet gesture recently.
The duchess continues to show her compassionate side as she builds a community for her family in Montecito, California.
In a recent interview with PEOPLE, Meghan Markle opened up about her growing circle of friends – many of whom she met through her children, Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three.
“I have a couple of girlfriends up here. These are stay-at-home mums and working women with normal jobs, not in the public eye,” Meghan explained. “We went from just connecting through our kids to having girls’ nights out or doing Pilates together.”
Meghan Markle’s gift to friend from Archie and Lilibet
One friend, whose child recently underwent surgery, revealed a sweet and unexpected gesture from Meghan, 43, and her family.
“Meghan sent a bouquet of balloons and a stuffed octopus from Archie and Lili,” the friend shared.
She added that the duchess included a handwritten note that read: “We thought you could use a hug with eight arms.”
It was just fun and natural. She was very comfortable just chilling.
The friend further described how Meghan has been a down-to-earth and supportive presence in her life.
She recalled inviting Meghan to a birthday party. Despite not knowing anyone else, the Duchess of Sussex showed up and reportedly chatted with the other women about “mum stuff and life”.
“It was just fun and natural. She was very comfortable just chilling,” the friend recalled. She also described Meghan and Prince Harry as “a unit”.
The friend added that the family are “all very connected”.
Meghan and Prince Harry’s life in California
While Meghan and Prince Harry, 39, are well known around the world, they’ve been embraced as just another family in their close-knit Californian community.
“Once you know us, I think you want us to have the same normalcy as parents and for our children as they do, despite however unique our situation is,” Meghan reflected.
She has made it a priority to encourage a sense of belonging – whether it’s through playdates, Pilates classes, or even a simple fist bump.
“I go to group classes that sometimes have 40 to 50 people in them and just walk in like, ‘Hi!'” Meghan said with a laugh.
She recalled a particularly memorable moment in a recent workout session.
Meghan said: “In the middle of the class, they said, ‘Great, tell the person on your mat next to you that they’re doing a great job, give them a fist pump.’ And I looked over and there was someone over there. And I was like [miming a fist bump], ‘Well done!’ and then I looked to the other side and there was someone else and I went, ‘Nicely done! Come on, guys!’ I mean, that’s part of how you connect. I love it. It’s the best. I had missed it. It’s awesome.”
Meghan admits ‘it’s a learning curve’ over new brand As Ever
Alongside her family life, Meghan is also forging ahead in her career. Her recent professional ventures have included her new lifestyle brand, As Ever, and her Netflix series, With Love, Meghan.
Meghan acknowledged the challenges of launching a brand. She said she appreciates “everyone who gave me the grace to make mistakes and figure it out and also to be forgiving with myself through that”.
She added that it’s “a learning curve”.
Through it all, Meghan remains focused on community, kindness and connection.
Read more: Meghan Markle’s bath salts recipe from Netflix show sparks warning from expert
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