MEGHAN Markle’s former friend claims she needs Los Angeles more than the city needs her.

British socialite Lizzie Cundy, 56, attended the LA Children’s Hospital Gala – the same event the Duchess of Sussex went to – on Saturday.

Meghan Markle attended the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital Gala on SaturdayCredit: The Mega Agency

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British socialite Lizzie Cundy, 56, attended the same event
Meghan wore a plunging red Carolina Herrera gown – which she had previously worn at a gala for veterans with Prince Harry in New York in 2021.

Lizzie, who wore a $339 (£259) Pia Michi dress, told the Mail: “There wasn’t a great deal of warmth from people when she arrived. She wasn’t there long – she seemed to be there for the photographs.”

She added: “Meghan needs LA more than LA needs her. LA people feel they’ve been played by her. I’d have worn a different one if I’d known.”

Lizzie previously claimed that Meghan “ghosted” her, cutting off all contact, once she became engaged to Prince Harry.

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In an address at the event, Meghan said: “No one wants to be in a position where you need to go to a place like this … but if you have to, the best place in the world you could go would be Children’s Hospital LA.”

Lizzie has this month been soaking up the sun in Los Angeles, expanding her already-extensive contacts book and working on some top secret projects.

At the gala, she posed for snaps with boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard and Colin Hanks, son of Toy Story star Tom.

A source told The Sun: “Lizzie was relieved Meghan left the gala early, avoiding what could have been a very icy reunion.

“She’s been very open about how Meghan ghosted her after meeting Harry and was hurt by the sudden cut-off.

“It would have been incredibly awkward, given Lizzie didn’t even get an invite to the wedding.”

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The former model struck up a friendship with Meghan after being asked to accompany her to a charity dinner in 2013.

She said at the time: “We were having a girly chat and then she said, ‘Do you know any famous guys? I’m single and I really love English men.’ So I said, ‘We’ll go out and find you someone.'”

The claims come after The Sun’s first ever Royal Exclusive Live show, featuring Arthur Edwards and Jennie Bond.

Veteran royal correspondent Jennie said: “Meghan is not popular. She doesn’t want to come back and they are going their own ways, to some extent”.

The pair spoke on our first Royal Exclusive Live show, which you can watch on our YouTube channel.

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Meghan pictured at the Los Angeles bash last weekendCredit: The Mega Agency

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The Duchess was seen greeting young fans at the charity eventCredit: Rex

Meghan previously wore her gown at a New York gala with Harry in 2021Credit: Getty
The event was hosted on Friday in front of a live audience of more than 100 special guests.

Mr Edwards said: “I don’t think Meghan can come here much. I don’t think people think too much of her.

“I think she’s struggling in popularity in the UK and I think they seem to be doing things separately now.

“She’s got her programme and he’s got his. He comes into Britain now with no fuss.

“He’s come for the Invictus Games, in and out with no fuss, he came for his uncle’s funeral, no fuss.”

Jennie added: “The point is he doesn’t want to come back into the Royal Family, I think.

“He regarded it as a trap. He still thinks his father and his brother are trapped and he’s finding his own way.

“All credit to him. I think Meghan has her own independent style and way of life.