Full Breakdown
David Foster Refutes Red-Carpet Snub Allegations Involving Meghan Markle
8/14/2026, 9:13:03 AM
The Incident
On August 7 the Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended the 40th-anniversary gala for the David Foster Foundation in Victoria, British Columbia. A short video posted to social media showed Meghan Markle extending her hand toward the event’s host, Grammy-winning producer David Foster, while he continued walking past her and later rejoined the royal couple with his wife, Katharine McPhee, for a group photograph. The clip quickly sparked online commentary that labeled the moment a “snub” or “ghosting” of the Duchess.
Background & Context
Foster and his wife have maintained a long-standing friendship with Harry and Meghan. In late 2019, Foster helped arrange a private residence for the couple on Vancouver Island as they prepared to step back from senior royal duties. Katharine McPhee has known Meghan since childhood; the two attended Immaculate Heart school in Los Angeles, though at different times. Their families have repeatedly described the relationship as “dear friends.”
Official Statements & Responses
Following the viral footage, Foster issued a written response to *People* on August 12. He explained that, as host, he had already greeted the Duke and Duchess at the event entrance ten minutes before the red-carpet encounter and that the couple had “graciously and selflessly” given their time to engage with guests. He characterized the perception of an awkward moment as a “hurtful lie” generated by media seeking click-bait.
Public Reaction
Social-media users divided sharply over the clip. Some commenters accused Foster of deliberately ignoring Meghan, using terms such as “ghosted” and “snub.” Others argued the exchange was innocent, noting that Foster simply positioned himself for the group photo and that the couple later posed together without tension. No named public official or organization issued a formal critique of Foster’s account.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Video evidence: Shows Foster walking past Meghan while she reaches out.
- Foster’s claim: States that a prior greeting occurred at the entrance, implying the red-carpet pass was not a snub.
No independent verification of the earlier greeting has been provided, leaving the exact sequence of interactions unconfirmed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “As the host of the David Foster and Friends foundation event, I had already greeted our friends, the Duke and Duchess, at the entrance 10 minutes before the red carpet encounter,” — David Foster
- “My husband has a really, really beautiful relationship with Harry,” — Katharine McPhee
- “She went to a school called Immaculate Heart, as did I,” — Katharine McPhee
- “David’s the resource guy, he knows all the places. He loves to help people so we just hope they end up somewhere where they feel like they can really just settle down,” — Katharine McPhee
These quotations capture Foster’s denial, McPhee’s description of her husband’s relationship with Harry, and their shared school background, illustrating the personal ties that underpin the parties’ statements.
