Close friends have reportedly denied claims that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were snubbed by David Foster during their viral red-carpet interaction in Canada. The Sussexes attended the David Foster Foundation’s 40th anniversary gala in Victoria, British Columbia, on Friday, August 7.
Videos from the event quickly went viral, with Foster appearing to ignore Markle’s outstretched hand as they posed for photos on the red carpet. However, sources close to the couple have since pushed back against the snub claims.
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David Foster’s close friends reportedly came to his defense, claiming he wasn’t trying to “snub” Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. A viral video on X showed how Foster ignored the Sussexes’ invitation to stand beside them and eventually posed alongside his wife, Katharine McPhee. Fans online claimed that the Grammy-winning musician had deliberately ignored Markle.
TENSIONS on the red carpet! Meghan Markle publicly snubbed by host David Foster. Watch as he refuses to greet her and ignores her reaching hand. Ouch pic.twitter.com/Um02lbAYNG
— Paula Matanovich © (@paulamatanovich) August 8, 2026
However, his close friends vouched that it was far from the truth. They insisted that this brief moment had been taken out of context and misunderstood by people. An insider revealed to Radar Online that it was not intentional and that the legendary musician simply didn’t register that Markle was reaching out toward him. He “wasn’t” consciously walking past her or deliberately ignoring her.
Continuing further, the insider said: “What the short clip doesn’t show is everything that happened beforehand. David had already welcomed Harry and Meghan properly, and there had been a very warm exchange between them. By the time they reached the red carpet, nobody involved felt there was some unresolved greeting that needed to happen again.”
The source continued that Foster was genuinely “thrilled” to have the Sussexes for the occasion. The insider explained that since the 76-year-old was hosting the event, he had a lot on his plate and likely missed Markle’s kind gesture. The source clarified that it wasn’t a deliberate move but rather a genuine oversight.
The Grammy winner said to PEOPLE: “They both, graciously and selflessly, gave their time and went beyond to engage with everyone. Harry and Meghan are dear friends of mine. Anyone watching can see there was no awkward moment and certainly no snub.”
