Meghan Markle makes surprise visit to patients at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Meghan Markle made a surprise visit to young patients at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, spending time with children and hospital staff while supporting a month-long fundraising campaign.

The Duchess of Sussex stopped by the hospital on Thursday, March 12, where she took part in activities with patients and visited children who were unable to leave their rooms.

The visit was tied to the hospital’s “Make March Matter” initiative, a yearly campaign that brings together celebrities, businesses, and the community to raise funds for the hospital’s programs and services.

Meghan Markle spends time painting with children at Los Angeles hospital

During the visit, Meghan first stopped by the hospital’s Creative Oasis area, a space designed for young patients to relax and take part in art and creative activities.

There, she joined several children in watercolor painting and spent time chatting with them while they worked on their art. The activity appeared to bring smiles and laughter as patients and staff gathered around the tables.

Photos from the moment captured Meghan coloring pictures of Hello Kitty alongside the children and painting with them while speaking with hospital staff.

Not every child at the hospital was able to leave their rooms, however. Meghan later took time to personally visit bed-bound patients who could not attend the group activity.

The Duchess stopped by their rooms to spend a few moments with them individually, ensuring they were also included in the day’s visit.

Meghan Markle supports Children’s Hospital Los Angeles fundraising campaign

The visit was organized as part of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles’ annual “Make March Matter” campaign.

The initiative is a month-long fundraising effort aimed at supporting the hospital’s work in treating sick and critically injured children.

In a statement explaining the campaign, the hospital said, “Make March Matter is an annual fundraising campaign for CHLA that unites celebrities, businesses, and the greater community in support of its mission of creating hope and building healthier futures.”

The statement also highlighted the long-standing role the hospital plays in pediatric care.

“Funds raised will help ensure the hospital can provide sick and critically injured children with the best quality care, research and innovation that happens at CHLA every day for the last 125 years,” the hospital added.

By visiting patients and taking part in activities, Meghan helped bring attention to the campaign and its fundraising efforts.

Meghan Markle previously visited hospital for reading session

This was not the first time Meghan had spent time with patients at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

She also visited the hospital in 2024 to take part in a session with the Literally Healing program.

During that visit, Meghan read books to young patients and joined them in interactive activities connected to the stories.

The hospital later described the lively moment in a statement.

“Children were laughing and singing as The Duchess turned into character with every page as she read patient favorite books like Rosie the Riveter, Pete the Cat and I Saw a Cat,” the hospital said.

Meghan also encouraged the children to participate in STEAM-based activities connected to the stories she read.

In a video shared from that visit, Meghan greeted the children as they gathered for reading time and excitedly held up the book Rosie Revere, Engineer.

“This is one of my favorites,” she told the group while showing them the cover.

Meghan Markle preparing for Australia trip with Prince Harry

The hospital visit comes as Meghan prepares for an upcoming trip to Australia with her husband, Prince Harry.

During that visit, the couple is expected to attend several engagements, including private meetings, business events, and philanthropic activities.

One of the events already announced is a “Girl’s Weekend” retreat hosted alongside the Her Best Life podcast.

The retreat is scheduled to take place from April 17 to April 19 at the InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach.

According to promotional details, the gathering will feature “meaningful speakers” and a gala dinner that includes “an in-person conversation with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.”

The event has been described as “an intimate gala like no other.”

A spokesperson for Meghan and Harry confirmed that the couple will travel to Australia in mid-April for a series of engagements. The trip will mark their first visit to the country in more than seven years.

Their children, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4, will not join them on the trip.