There are 2 things I am sure about Meghan Markle. She always shuts down the red carpet and she always appears out to support her friends — often exactly at the same time.

There was no more obvious place for these 2 truths than the Red carpet of the Paley Honors Tribute to Tyler Perry at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills on May 12. 4. Perry has been a close friend of Markle and Prince Harry since 2018, so she would naturally like to support his Lifetime Achievement Award in her presence.

Markle and her stylist, Jamie Mizrahi, approached the evening honoring Perry's legacy in film and TELEVISION, in an old Hollywood strapless black gown by Oscar de la Renta. The rich, dark fabric with its sweetheart neckline had a holiday party written all over them, but the exaggerated slit of the skirt made pure Red Car

Markle teased the dress's sophisticated neckline and the skimpy skirt, with tendrils edging the face. Simple (it doesn't look normal — she prefers curly dumplings when she doesn't wear her hair down.2 accessories that seemed to be a piece acknowledged by avid devotees of the Duchess of Sussex's wardrobe: a diamond Logan Hollowell necklace and a Stuart Weitzman heel. But while her glittering jewelry was actually custom Lorraine Schwartz and Engender, her heels came in Celine's favor. A white manicure coat of sugar cookies adorned her fingertips instead of her usual bubble bath manicure.

Meghan Markle became modest in 2024 and appeared in public primarily to express support for philanthropy (such as the Archewell Foundation's Welcome Project) and close friends. In one of her best royal re-wear, the Duchess brought her red Carolina Herrera dress from a warehouse on May 10 last year to attend the Children's Hospital Los Angeles Benefit Gala with her friend Kelly McKee Zajfen. A few months ago, she was wearing a custom white gown by Oscar de la Renta to cheer Serena Williams when the tennis legend hosted the 2024ESPY Awards. She at the same time showed her support to her husband, who had accepted the Pat Tillman Award for service.

At the Paley Center Honors, Markle joined Kelly Washington, Tina Knowles, and more stars of entertainment and philanthropy to acknowledge Tyler Perry's decades of work in film and television. Perry's career encompasses more than 2,000 episodes of television and 28 feature films — either he wrote, directed, produced or all of the above.

Perry has been a fixture in Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's circle of friends since the mogul reached out to Markle around the time of her royal wedding. When Sussex moved to the United States, Perry offered them his Beverly Hills mansion to avoid the Paparazzi. He is also the Godfather of Markle's daughter, Princess Lilibet.

He addressed his close relationship with Meghan and Harry during a red carpet interview before the gala began. "They love each other," Perry said in a conversation with E! News. "They have a beautiful family and I want the best for them.

Conclusion from this week's event: Friends who walk the red carpet together, stay together. Oh, and that Angelina Jolie's 2012 Oscar gown has some competition for a black dress with major leg slits to admire.

Editor's Note: This post has been updated to reflect Meghan Markle's dress, jewelry and heel designer.