Meghan Markle made a surprise visit to Children's Hospital Los Angeles this week, spending an afternoon reading, painting, and meeting young patients as part of the hospital's annual Make March Matter fundraising campaign.
The Duchess of Sussex visited the hospital on Thursday, March 12, where staff said she arrived quietly and joined children in the Creative Oasis, a dedicated space for art and play.
Wearing a black face mask, she sat beside patients to watercolor paint and color pictures, including Hello Kitty-themed pages, and chatted with them about their artwork. Hospital photos show her smiling with children and staff as she helped them finish their drawings and paintings, according to People.
After the group activity, Meghan continued the visit by going room to room to see children who were too ill to leave their beds, taking time to speak with them and their families. Staff members described the atmosphere as joyful and uplifting as she tried to make sure each child felt included in the special day.
Children's Hospital Los Angeles said the visit supported its month‑long Make March Matter campaign, which raises money for lifesaving pediatric care, research, and innovation.
The campaign brings together celebrities, local businesses, and community members to help fund treatment for sick and critically injured children, and has raised more than $10 million since it launched in 2016, according to the hospital.
In a social media post, CHLA said it was "honored" to welcome "LA's own Meghan, Duchess of Sussex" and called the time she spent with patients "special moments" that show how creativity can support joy and healing.
This is not Meghan's first time at the hospital: in March 2024, she led a Literally Healing storytime session, reading favorites such as "Rosie Revere, Engineer," "Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons," and "They All Saw a Cat" to young patients, Yahoo News reported.
Hospital staff said children laughed, sang, and shouted out answers as she performed different voices and gestures for each character, drawing on her acting background. She also helped with STEAM activities tied to the books, which are part of a literacy program that gives families more than 65,000 books a year.
Her latest hospital visit comes as Meghan prepares to travel to Australia with Prince Harry in April for a series of private, business, and charitable events.
During the trip, she is set to co‑host a "Girl's Weekend" retreat with the Her Best Life podcast in Sydney, which will feature speakers and a gala dinner that includes an in‑person conversation with the Duchess, as per Tribune.
