In a rare public appearance, Meghan Markle read and sang to young children in a hospital in Los Angeles for a special storytime session, surprising patients and staff members.
Children were seen laughing and singing along as the Duchess played the characters of three of their favourite books, in support of a literary initiative designed to help the young patients.
In photos and footage released of the event, the former Suits TV star used her acting skills to impress the children. A psychologist and body language expert believes Meghan conducted the event “purely for altruistic purposes”.
Adam Lyons told Express.co.uk: “It’s great that she’s doing this nice thing – it’s really cool that she is doing this. I’m sure she’s doing it for purely altruistic purposes, although I’m sure she loves being in the limelight – especially as she’s doing it without Harry.”
In a video of the visit, Meghan greeted the children as they gathered for the engaging reading time and she adding voice inflections and gestures to go along with the stories.
The body language expert also noted how the Duchess of Sussex kept a “massive physical distance” between her and the children she was reading to.
Mr Lyons added: “I would say it almost looks like Meghan doesn’t like physical contact. Maybe she’s being respectful of the children, which is very possible, but in general from what I’ve seen she doesn’t seem to be super into physical touch, which might be what we’re reading here.”
Praising the Duchess for her good work, the expert added it was “great” to see Meghan do a good deed and take part in the drive for the LA Children’s Hospital.
The mum of two, who shares four-year-old Prince Archie and two-year-old Princess Lilibet with Prince Harry, wore a £2776 ($3,490) Oscar De La Renta silk-chiffon shirt dress with cuffed sleeves for the occasion. She also wore pricey Aquazzura £595 ($747) ‘Love Affair’ black shoes, which fans have criticised for not being in-line with Meghan’s usual shoe choice of heels.
Meghan is a huge fan of reading, having heavily promoted her book ‘The Bench’ to young children in primary schools. The Duchess of Sussex’s first picture children’s book, released in 2021, beautifully captured the special relationship between a father and son.
Although this was a solo event attended by the Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle jointly attended an event last month – The Kinsey African American Art and History Collection. On March 21, the event showcased the extensive holdings of African American art and artifacts.
Several images of the couple were shared, including a black and white picture of the pair looking relaxed and loved up, and the Duchess of Sussex’s mother, Doria Ragland, also attended.
