David Foster has spoken out after a brief red carpet encounter with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry sparked an online storm. The Canadian music producer says the viral clip did not show a deliberate snub, despite claims that quickly spread across social media.
The moment came during the David Foster Foundation 40th Anniversary Gala in Victoria, Canada, on August 7, 2026. Foster attended the event with his wife, singer and actress Katharine McPhee, while the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were among the high-profile guests.
A short video from the red carpet soon attracted far more attention than anyone at the gala probably expected. The footage showed Meghan extending her hand as Foster approached, but he appeared to continue walking without acknowledging the gesture.
Foster instead moved toward McPhee and took his place for a photograph. The few seconds of footage were enough to trigger claims that he had intentionally ignored Meghan in front of photographers and other guests. Social media users quickly debated Foster’s body language and Meghan’s reaction.
David Foster Says Meghan Markle Was Never Snubbed
According to Foster, he had already personally greeted the Duke and Duchess of Sussex when they arrived about 10 minutes earlier. As the event’s host, he was handling several responsibilities while guests, reporters and photographers moved through the venue.
Foster also referred to Harry and Meghan as his “dear friends,” making his position on the controversy clear. He denied that there was tension between them and rejected the idea that he had deliberately walked past Meghan to embarrass her.
Sources familiar with the event suggested Foster may not have noticed Meghan’s extended hand because he was focused on his hosting duties, interviews and the photographers directing guests into position.
Foster was also frustrated by the way the footage was presented after the event. He criticized coverage that turned the brief exchange into what he described as a “hurtful lie” designed to attract clicks.
Foster’s History With Prince Harry Tells a Different Story
The claim of a deliberate snub also clashes with Foster’s established relationship with Harry and Meghan. The couples have known each other for years, and Foster played a helpful role during a major transition in the Sussexes’ lives.
Foster previously helped Harry and Meghan secure accommodation in Canada after they began stepping away from their roles as senior working members of the royal family. That connection placed him among the people who assisted the couple during an unusually intense period of public attention.
Foster has also spoken warmly about Harry in the past. Their friendship attracted attention because Foster is several decades older than the prince, with some reports describing their connection as close and supportive.
Sources responding to the latest controversy also pointed to Foster’s admiration for Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana. They argued that his personal history made the idea of him intentionally disrespecting her son or Meghan difficult to square with their relationship.
Katharine McPhee has also shared a connection with Meghan that predates the Sussexes’ move to North America. The two women attended the same school when they were younger, giving the families another personal link beyond Foster’s friendship with Harry.
A Viral Red Carpet Clip Became Bigger Than the Gala
As host, Foster had more to manage than a standard red carpet appearance. He was greeting guests, speaking with media representatives and handling responsibilities connected to the anniversary celebration, which helps explain why his attention may have shifted quickly during the photographed encounter.
Red carpets can also look much smoother in finished photographs than they feel in person. Photographers call for different poses, publicists guide guests into position, and people regularly move past one another while trying to follow directions.