Meghan Markle’s inner circle expands to include new member

The Duchess of Sussex ‘enjoys things that you wouldn’t expect’, a friend has claimed

The Duchess of Sussex expanded her mahjong circle over the weekend, welcoming longtime friend Kelly McKee Zajfen to the group.

Mrs McKee Zajfen, who co-founded Alliance of Moms, a charity supporting pregnant and parenting youth within LA’s foster care system, shared a photograph on Instagram showing herself enjoying the tile-based game outdoors alongside cocktails.

 

The former model expressed gratitude to “M & T”, referring to Meghan and fashion designer Tracy Robbins, in her caption.

“Ugh, oh. Another one has been taken by the Maj bug. That being me,” Mrs McKee Zajfen wrote. “A perfect day spent with my ladies and having some much needed mama time.”

Meghan Markle

Meghan Markle’s inner circle has expanded to include a new member

 | GETTY

Ms Robbins reposted the image on social media, adding: “You are a natural. Love you. Miss you already.”

Meghan, 44, who lives in Montecito, California, has cultivated a regular mahjong gathering with close companions.

During the first series of her lifestyle programme With Love, Meghan, she hosted Ms Robbins alongside cosmetics entrepreneur Victoria Jackson and literary agent Jennifer Rudolph Walsh for a session featuring tacos and cocktails.

The Chinese-origin strategy game is not the only pastime the Sussexes have embraced.

Kelly McKee Zajfen

Kelly McKee Zajfen revealed she has been welcomed into Meghan’s mahjong circle

 | INSTAGRAM/@_HEARTMOM_

Tatcha skincare founder Vicky Tsai revealed last year that both Meghan and Harry have developed a passion for pickleball.

“She’s really creative and curious. She enjoys things that you wouldn’t expect like mahjong,” Ms Tsai told People.

“She’s constantly trying to pull me into her weekly mahjong group. And she and Harry are pretty passionate about pickleball.”

The mahjong gathering followed Meghan’s visit to meet Mrs McKee Zajfen’s newborn son, Jack Oliver, which she documented on social media just hours before the Royal Family assembled for Trooping the Colour.

Meghan Markle and Kelly McKee Zajfen
Meghan Markle posing with her friend Kelly McKee Zajfen in 2024 | GETTY

The duchess posted an image of herself cradling the infant and kissing his head, accompanied by the caption: “We know I love a redhead. And let me stop you before they start, no it’s not his baby.”

A second photograph showed Mrs McKee Zajfen smiling with her newborn, which Meghan captioned: “Love you @heartmom”.

Mrs McKee Zajfen announced her pregnancy in November last year, following the devastating loss of her nine-year-old son George in July 2022 to Covid and viral meningitis.

Kelly McKee Zajfen, Meghan Markle

Kelly McKee Zajfen has praised Meghan for the role model she has become | GETTYThe two women have maintained a friendship spanning two decades.

When George died, the Sussexes donated $5,000 (£3,722) to a GoFundMe established in his memory, attributing the contribution to their children Archie and Lilibet.

Since the tragedy, Meghan and Harry have participated in several charitable initiatives honouring George, including a tennis tournament that coincided with Prince Harry’s 40th birthday.

CRE: https://www.gbnews.com/royal/meghan-markle-inner-circle-new-member