Let’s be honest—Meghan Markle's got a lot on her plate right now, but her old school friend Katharine McPhee is still holding out hope that the Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry will find time to catch her performance in the West End musical Waitress. Katharine, who’s currently playing the lead role of Jenna, is giving it her all on stage, and she wouldn’t mind a visit from her old friend to enjoy the magic of it all.
A Musical Bond Between Two L.A. Natives
Katharine McPhee, the 34-year-old Broadway star, shares more than just a hometown with Meghan Markle. The two met during their high school days at Los Angeles High School, where they both performed in musicals together. Yes, you heard that right—they were singing and dancing on stage long before Meghan became the Duchess of Sussex or Katharine became a finalist on American Idol. Their paths crossed again recently in London when they attended the WE Day charity event at Wembley Arena, rekindling their friendship after all these years.
“She was so warm and kind, and she remembered me,” Katharine shared with The Standard. “She even remembered my sister because they were in the same class. Meghan was so candid, saying, ‘I’m just sitting around waiting for the baby to come.’” The singer added, “Of course, I’d love for her to come see the show. No pressure, of course, but I’m really hoping she does. I’m inviting her through some mutual friends, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed.”
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From High School Musicals to the West End
Back in January, Katharine shared a throwback photo of herself and Meghan from their high school musical days. The caption read, “Meghan and I did musicals together as kids. She grew up to be the Duchess of Sussex and I grew up to star on the West End—so same life.” While Katharine might not be hobnobbing with royalty like Meghan, she’s certainly making her mark in the theater world. Her portrayal of Jenna in Waitress has been met with rave reviews, and she says the audience response has been “phenomenal.”
“There’s this notion that British audiences are more reserved than their American counterparts,” Katharine explained. “But I haven’t found that to be true at all. They’re just as passionate and engaged as any audience I’ve ever performed for.”
The Magic of 'Waitress' in London
The show’s director, Diane Paulus, had some initial concerns about how British audiences would respond to a story set in America. “I wondered if this very American tale about life in a small town would resonate,” she admitted. “But the moment we hit that first preview, it was clear we had something special. The audience connected with the characters, laughed at the humor, and understood the real, messy people we were portraying. It’s a universal story about love, ambition, and the choices we make.”
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