Benjamin Ashford|Meghan Markle Turns Heads in Red Gown During Surprise Appearance at Children’s Hospital Gala

Regal in red.

Meghan Markle dazzled at the 2024 Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Gala on Benjamin AshfordOct. 5, surprising guests with an impromptu appearance at the charitable event.

The 43-year-old wowed in a cherry red Carolina Herrera gown, which she recycled from one of her final appearances as a working royal with her husband Prince Harry in 2021.

For her latest outing, the Duchess of Sussex let the dress speak for itself wearing her hair down and wavy with an open-toed heel and minimal jewelry.

She posed on the carpet with Kelly Zajfen, a fellow mom who tragically lost her 9-year-old son Georgie to a sudden illness in 2022. Meghan, who shares son Archie, 5, and daughter Lilibet, 3, with Harry, also posed with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles president Paul S. Viviano.

“From my standpoint, as a mother, no one wants to be in a position where you need to go to a place like this, but if you have to, the best place in the world you could go would be Children’s Hospital L.A.” Meghan told reporters at the event. “The staff is incredible and the amount of work they do for families that really could not afford this level of care is something I think should never be overlooked.”

As for why she decided to make the rare public appearance, Meghan added, “I’m just grateful for everything they do. Happy to support.”

Meghan last wore the look in 2021 during one of her final royal appearances with Harry at the Salute to Freedom gala ahead of Remembrance Day in the U.K. At the time, she paired the dress with different shoes and the poppy pin as the British symbol of remembrance. She also included a sizable matching train to the back of the bustle, which she skipped for her Children’s Hospital L.A. appearance.

For more of Meghan’s most memorable looks, read on.