Why Meghan Markle Wasn't Seen at the Vax Live Concert With Prince Harry
Meghan Markle, a co-chair with Harry for the Vax Live event, wasn't photographed or seen there in person with them. Here's why wasn't she around.

Yesterday, Selena Gomez (opens in new tab), Prince Harry, Jennifer Lopez, and more stars pre-taped Global Citizen's Vax Live: The Concert To Reunite The World special that will air next weekend. But Meghan Markle, a co-chair with Harry for the event, wasn't photographed or seen there in person with them.
Why wasn't she around? It's likely the same reason Meghan didn't attend (opens in new tab) Prince Philip's funeral in England last month: The Duchess of Sussex is very pregnant with her and Harry's second child (opens in new tab), and there's still an ongoing pandemic, making group gatherings—even television productions like this one where there is COVID testing and likely many vaccinated participants—not entirely risk-free.
Meghan and Harry have not revealed whether or not have gotten vaccinated yet. But they only became eligible on April 15 in California, so it could be that they are not fully vaccinated yet because of the wait time between doses one and two of the Pfizer and Moderna shots (17-25 days for Pfizer or 24-32 days for Moderna). After they receive both doses, they have to wait another two weeks before they have full protection.
It is safe, by the way, for those pregnant, like Meghan, to get a COVID-19 vaccine if they choose, according to the CDC. (opens in new tab)
Meghan and Harry also haven't publicly revealed Meghan's exact due date, saying only that the Duchess is due this summer. Page Six (opens in new tab) reported that Meghan is set to go on maternity leave in late May, but the couple did not confirm that timeframe.
Still, Meghan will be involved in the special. The Duchess is understood to be appearing in a pre-taped segment that will air during the broadcast. The special airs next Saturday, May 8.
Harry, by the way, made a passionate speech calling for leaders to help get as many people globally vaccinated as possible during the taping. He said, per People (opens in new tab):
Alyssa Bailey is the news and strategy editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage of celebrities and royals (particularly Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton). She previously held positions at InStyle and Cosmopolitan. When she's not working, she loves running around Central Park, making people take #ootd pics of her, and exploring New York City.
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