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Awkward moment Meghan Markle interrupts bookstore speaking event to correct how her friend holds the microphone

Meghan, 44, attended an event at the Godmothers bookstore in California READ MORE: I think I've discovered Meghan's secret plan for if - or when - William strips away the Sussexes' royal titles: SHARON HUNT By MARIA CHIORANDO, SENIOR REPORTER Published: 14:32 BST, 24 October 2025 | Updated: 16:08 BST, 24 October 2025 Meghan Markle created a briefly awkward moment on Thursday evening while speaking at an event held in a California bookshop. The Duchess of Sussex, 44, took part in an open table conversation at the Godmothers bookstore in Summerland in support of her close friend Courtney Adamo. Courtney, who co-founded the popular UK parenting blog Babyccino Kid, had invited Meghan to participate in the event. Their discussion revolved around Courtney's new family-focused interior design book, The Family Home: Inspiring Ideas For A Home Filled With Joy. After the host introduced the event, Meghan told attendees she was 'so excited' they were able to meet Courtney, whom she has known since college. But as Courtney started to tell the audience how 'honoured' she was to be there, she was quickly interrupted by the former senior royal, who unexpectedly took hold of her microphone, creating a briefly uncomfortable atmosphere. Meghan grabbed her friend's arm and pushed the microphone closer to her friend's mouth so everyone could hear her better, even joking: 'I could hold it [the microphone] for you'. After being corrected, Courtney said: 'This makes me so nervous', while Meghan giggled, putting her arm around her. Meghan Markle (pictured, left) and Courtney Alamo (pictured, right) are seen during at an event at a California book store on Thursday Courtney added: 'I've done so many of these things and it's the first time I've been nervous.' During the talk, Meghan discussed family life with her husband, Prince Harry, 41, and their two children, Lilibet, four, and son Archie, six, at their Montecito mansion in California. She revealed that she is a fan of the 'rose and thorn' parenting ritual, which is helpful when kids often only give 'yes and no answers,' she explained. 'Our daughter, she's four and she's a very strong personality and she's incredible,' Meghan said. 'And now she's in this moment where I say, "What's your rose and your thorn?" And she goes, "My day was just a blast."' Another ritual she and Harry share with Archie and Lilibet is the 'healing blanket', which was a gift from the bookstore's co-founder, Victoria Jackson. Meghan revealed that whenever one of them isn't feeling well, they reach for the 'healing blanket' to comfort them. Harry and Meghan have close ties to Godmothers, which is backed by billionaire Oprah Winfrey, who also lives in Montecito near the Sussexes' $29 million mansion. The event was based around Courtney's new family-focused interior design book, The Family Home: Inspiring Ideas For A Home Filled With Joy They made a highly publicised appearance there in September 2024 for its star-studded grand opening. Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres, and her wife Portia de Rossi were also among the attendees at the opening of the business located in a white barn near a beach café. The second floor is home to a lounge where members who pay $200-a-month can relax. Victoria Jackson, who co-founded the outlet with Jennifer Rudolph Walsh, previously described the Godmothers community as 'somebody who roots for you, who supports you, who advocates for you. It's somebody who is found family.' And both Harry and his wife appeared right at home at the opening event as they posed for photos with their founder pals and cheered them on from the sidelines during the opening. Victoria Jackson, who has been close to the royal couple since their arrival in California in 2020, said at the time that she wanted Godmothers to be a 'safe space' for Meghan and Harry. 'Seeing them be able to come here and be in a safe space... it's what we want it to be.' During Thursday's event, Meghan also spoke about her friendship with Courtney, saying: 'We've been friends since college, just so you know.' Meghan added that she and Adamo met 'when [they] were 17' and shared how their upbringings differed. 'She grew up on a tulip farm. I did not grow up on a tulip farm,' said Meghan, who made reference to 'growing up in a small duplex' in Los Angeles soon after. 'I learned so many things from Courtney,' she added. She then recalled a time when she and Adamo, who were in the same sorority at Northwestern University, had planned to make a trip from their home in California back to school in Chicago, Illinois back in 2001. 'We were meant to fly [to Chicago] but here's why we didn't: because 9/11 happened on that same day,' she shared with the stunned audience. So the two of us ended up driving 30 hours over three days. 10 hours a day. From Los Angeles to Chicago, together at one of the most fragile, tender times in this country.' Meghan said the moment made her realise the importance of 'community' and 'what people need in moments when you want to feel safe'. 'And there's no safer place that you feel than in your home.' After their chat, Meghan put on her hostess hat and whisked lucky attendees to the bookstore's patio, where she served up glasses of 'beautifully crafted' Sauvignon Blanc from her wine line, As Ever. Meghan MarkleRoyalsOprah WinfreyCalifornia Share or comment on this article: Awkward moment Meghan Markle interrupts bookstore speaking event to correct how her friend holds the microphone Add comment