Meghan Markle has been forced to pause her public appearances after a major event honouring her philanthropic work was postponed due to civil unrest in Los Angeles.
The Duchess of Sussex, 43, was scheduled to be the guest of honour at the Night of Wonder gala, hosted by the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County (NHMLAC), on Saturday, 14 June. The prestigious event was set to celebrate her contributions to gender equity and community uplift through the Archewell Foundation.
However, in light of rising tensions in the city following protests over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity—and the subsequent deployment of the National Guard—the museum announced it would delay the event “out of respect for the current climate.”
From Celebration to Solidarity
“As an institution of, for, and with Los Angeles, our responsibility during challenging times is clear: to serve as a community resource focused on healing and unity, not celebration,” said NHMLAC President and Director Dr Lori Bettison-Varga in a statement issued Tuesday, 10 June.
She added: “Los Angeles needs us to channel our energy toward supporting our neighbours and demonstrating the values that make our city and county strong.”
The decision to postpone the gala was made unanimously by the museum’s Board of Trustees, leadership team, and event partners. A new date for the rescheduled celebration has not yet been confirmed. NHMLAC assured the public that its daily operations and educational programs would continue as planned.
Meghan’s Meaningful Recognition
The Night of Wonder gala was to honour Meghan for her tireless advocacy in gender empowerment, equity, and community wellbeing. As a Los Angeles native, the Duchess was expected to attend in person and deliver a heartfelt address on the causes closest to her heart.
In an earlier statement on 3 June, Dr Bettison-Varga highlighted why Meghan had been selected as the evening’s honouree: “We are proud to honour Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, a native Angeleno, whose work to advance community wellbeing and expand opportunity — especially for underserved communities — aligns with our equity-focused approach to developing science literacy for the next generation.”
The gala traditionally draws leaders from across Los Angeles’ cultural, scientific, and philanthropic communities. Meghan was expected to be joined by key figures who share her dedication to education, social progress, and inclusive opportunity.
While the event is temporarily on hold, the decision underscores a larger message of unity—something the Duchess has long championed through her work.
