Meghan Markle's Red Heart Necklace Pays Touching Tribute to Friend's Children

The Duchess of Sussex wore a gorgeous red pendant with significant meaning in a viral instagram video for her new brand, As Ever.

Image credit: Getty/KellyZajfen instagram.

In her recent video announcement for her rebranded business venture, As Ever, Meghan Markle subtly honored someone close to her heart. The Duchess of Sussex surprised fans on February 17, 2025, by revealing the new name of her lifestyle brand, previously known as American Riviera Orchard.

While Meghan's crisp white linen button-down and jeans caught the eye, it was her gleaming red heart necklace that held a deeper meaning. The Heart of Gold pendant, a stunning piece from California-based jeweler The Gold Album, was chosen in collaboration with one of Meghan's closest friends, Kelly McKee Zajfen.

15% of proceeds support the Children's Hospital LA.

The necklace's significance lies in its connection to Zajfen's family. In 2022, Zajfen tragically lost her 9-year-old son George. His twin sister, Lily, receives treatment for a heart condition at Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). In a touching gesture, 15 percent of sales from this necklace go directly to CHLA.

The bespoke red enamel design, surrounded by a diamond border, can be personalized with gold letters or numbers. While Meghan's pendant bears the initials for her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, Zajfen's version features the initials G and L, honoring both her children.

Meghan and Kelly share sweet snaps on vacation together and working on Kelly's passion project, Community Motherhood.

The necklace has gained attention from other celebrities too, with Gwyneth Paltrow showcasing it on social media and describing it as "special."

Meghan and Prince Harry's support for Zajfen extends beyond jewelry. The couple joined Zajfen and her family for a charity tennis tournament in September 2024, honoring George's memory on Harry's 40th birthday. Meghan later attended the CHLA Gala with Zajfen, further cementing their friendship and shared commitment to supporting children's causes.

Image credit: Getty/Meghan Markle

This focus on honoring children aligns deeply with Harry and Meghan's personal values. The Sussexes are known for their proud displays of parenthood, often wearing items and accessories bearing their own children's initials or names. This cause is very close to Harry and Meghan's hearts and resonates strongly with their personal ethos.

Meghan's choice to wear this meaningful necklace while announcing 'As Ever' underscores her capacity to always have others in mind, even when promoting her own ventures. Her thoughtful act of prominently featuring the necklace beautifully articulates the depth of their friendship, without saying a word.

" The phrase "as ever," she explained, means "'as it's always been,'" reflecting her longstanding passions for "food, gardening, entertaining, thoughtful living, and finding joy in the everyday."

Meghan and Kelly are all smiles at the baby shower of a close friend.

As Meghan steps into this new chapter, the heart necklace serves as a poignant reminder of the connections and causes close to her heart. It symbolizes not just her friendship with Zajfen but also her commitment to supporting children and families – a value she shares with Prince Harry and one that continues to shape their public and personal endeavors.

Kelly and Meghan share a hug on the tennis court at a Children's Hospital charity game.

The launch of As Ever promises to be more than just a business venture for the Nigerian-descended princess. It represents a continuation of her wildly successful lifestyle blog "The Tig", her passions and indeed her values, now shared with a wider audience.

As she moves forward with this new brand, it's clear that Meghan's heart remains steadfast on beating to her own drum and making a positive impact, one thoughtful gesture at a time.