Meghan Markle channels Princess Diana as she reads at Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles

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Meghan Markle had a Princess Diana moment on March 21 when she stopped by to visit Los Angeles’ Children’s Hospital.

The Duchess of Sussex, 42, surprised patients and staff members last month during the hospital’s monthlong campaign Make March Matter.

The event brings together individuals and businesses to support children’s health.

Meghan Markle (left) greeted a sick child during her appearance. Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
Meghan Markle (left) greeted a sick child during her appearance. Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

During Markle’s appearance, she read books such as “Rosie Revere, Engineer,” “Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons” and “They All Saw a Cat” as part of the segment Literally Healing.

She donned a white blouse, a black face mask and a floral skirt for the day.

Literally Healing is a reading program that gifts families at the Children’s Hospital more than 65,000 books annually.

Princess Diana is greeted by Matilda Cuomo in 1989 during her visit to Harlem to visit children ill with AIDS. New York Post
Princess Diana is greeted by Matilda Cuomo in 1989 during her visit to Harlem to visit children ill with AIDS. New York Post

The “Suits” alum also took part in STEAM activities with patients, including coloring, problem-solving and counting numbers.

The appearance was reminiscent of her husband Prince Harry’s late mom, who died in August 1997 at age 36.

In early 1989, the Princess of Wales famously traveled to New York to see the pediatric AIDS unit at Harlem Hospital.

“These children were so very, very ill, and, at the time, not much was known about how to assist them. It was just really heartbreaking. There was so much misinformation about AIDS that people believed: You couldn’t touch a doorknob or sit on a toilet or you would get it,” Gwen Elliot-McIntosh, a Harlem Hospital administrator who encountered Diana at the time, said.

The Duchess of Sussex read books to the kids at Los Angeles’ Children’s Hospital. Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
The Duchess of Sussex read books to the kids at Los Angeles’ Children’s Hospital. Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
Markle stopped by the medical institution on March 21. Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
Markle stopped by the medical institution on March 21. Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
Markle couldn’t help but enjoy spending time with those who are suffering. Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
Markle couldn’t help but enjoy spending time with those who are suffering. Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

“Diana picked up a baby and looked at the baby like there was no one else in the room … She talked to [the children] and hugged them. She gave them love,” she told Page Six in 2020.

Diana also fought against the stigma surrounding AIDS in 1987 when she visited the Middlesex Hospital in London and refused to wear gloves when meeting patients.