Following the death of Kelly’s nine year old son four years ago, this is an emotional but exciting time for the Alliance of Moms co-founder who has been friends with Meghan for 20 years
Meghan Markle’s best friend has announced she is pregnant, four years after her nine year old son died from Covid.
Kelly McKee Zajfen, 44, revealed that she was going to have a baby boy in an emotional Instagram post on Thursday (November 13). The Alliance of Moms co-founder has been friends with the Duchess of Sussex for more than 20 years and lives nearby to her in California.
Kelly wrote on the post: “Sometimes… just sometimes… when you let light in through the broken pieces of your heart, love grows. Baby boy coming this Spring.”
“The path here wasn’t easy, and yet love kept showing up in the smallest signs, the quietest moments, the light that refused to fade. This little soul is already so loved, a reminder that joy and grief can exist together… and that hope has a way of finding us again.”
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Alongside the exciting heartfelt message was a picture of Kelly cradling her baby bump in a close fitting leopard print dress. The former model credited her young daughter Lily, 13, with taking the picture.
Kelly’s son George died suddenly of Covid in 2021 aged just nine years old. He contracted Covid and viral meningitis and tragically passed away despite the help of doctors in hospital.
Meghan, 44, was a big source of support during Kelly’s bereavement, who has long praised the help the princess gave her. George’s death was “‘traumatic, painful, and very vivid” Kelly said in a personal essay describing her loss.
Kelly described the heartbreaking events in an interview with People magazine last year. She said: “It happened very quickly. We had no idea when we took him into the hospital that 12 hours later, he would not make it. My 9-year-old son George died. Died of Covid and viral meningitis.
“A healthy and vibrant boy could not fight it. We lost him. I kissed him. But it was to say goodbye. It is impossible to know how to survive this type of grief. Even more impossible is the ability to find all the right tools that will help you manage each day. I definitely do not have all the answers.”
At the time of George’s death, Meghan and Harry, 41, donated $5,000 (£3,800) to a GoFundMe set up in George’s honour, attributing the donation to their two children, Lilibet, 4, and Archie, 6. In response, Kelly took to Instagram at the time and wrote: “Harry and Meghan, you have been such a guiding light for our family, not just in the way you have shown up in friendship but how you have shown up through the incredible work The Archewell Foundation does every day. I’m in awe of your commitment to community and to friendship.”
Meghan and Harry’s support has continued in the following years since George’s tragic death and have attended several of Kelly’s charity events set up in memory of her poor son. This includes a charity tennis tournament in honour of George last year around the time of Prince Harry’s 40th birthday.
The couple both attended the the George Zajfen Tennis Tournament at the Los Angeles Tennis Club in October. Funds were raised for Alliance for Children’s Rights, a charity that provides legal services, safe housing, education and family support for vulnerable children.
Meghan shared several picture and clips of the event afterwards, including one of her and Kelly sharing a warm embrace. She also posed with Kelly’s family, including her daughter, Lily, alongside another video of all the Zajfen’s together on the court.
Harry was also pictured hugging Lily and Kelly, who put an affectionate hand on his chest. Kelly posted after the event too, praising her “nuturing” and “loving” friend Meghan.
She has since said that Meghan’s Instagram was one of her favourites at an Instagram Q&A sessio, adding it “endlessly inspired” her. Another question asked: “How did you meet Meghan M?! Love seeing you two on here and the joy you bring out in each other.”
Kelly responded very sweetly, saying: “Ahh thank you! I’ve actually known her for almost 20 years? She even came to my wedding (15 years ago) and she’s been the most amazing, nurturing, fun, loving human. She’s been by my side, especially since Georgie died, and I cherish our friendship very much.”
