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The music producer called the circulating claims a 'hurtful lie'

David Foster has rejected claims that he snubbed Meghan Markle during a red carpet appearance at his charitable foundation's 40th anniversary gala in Victoria, Canada, on August 7.

The music producer, 76, said he welcomed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the venue entrance 10 minutes before the moment captured in a clip had spread widely online.

Mr Foster said: “As the host of the David Foster and Friends foundation event, I had already greeted our friends, the Duke and Duchess, at the entrance 10 minutes before the red carpet encounter.

“They both, graciously and selflessly, gave their time and went beyond to engage with everyone.

"Harry and Meghan are dear friends of mine. Anyone watching can see there was no awkward moment and certainly no snub."

He praised the couple for giving their time generously and engaging with fellow guests throughout the evening.

Mr Foster went further, condemning the narrative constructed around the footage: "It's sad that certain media chose to deceive a red carpet encounter for clickbait."

He continued to tell People: "They turned simple 'positioning' to get the best photo into a hurtful lie."

The footage in question showed the duchess and Prince Harry posing for photographers on the red carpet as Mr Foster walked past before returning moments later with his wife, Katharine McPhee.

The four then stood together for a group photograph, smiling and laughing.

The black-tie gala, which also featured a performance from Adam Levine, raised $14.5million (£10.7million) for the David Foster Foundation.

The organisation offers financial assistance to Canadian families whose children require life-saving organ transplants. A free public concert followed the next day at Victoria's Inner Harbour.

The couple shares a friendship stretching back years. Ms McPhee, 42, and the duchess attended the same secondary school in Los Angeles before reconnecting as adults, with their husbands developing their own close bond.

"My husband has a really, really beautiful relationship with Harry," Ms McPhee told Access Hollywood in 2020. "They're like father and son."

Mr Foster also helped arrange accommodation for the Sussexes on Vancouver Island in 2019, securing a mansion owned by an acquaintance.

He told the Daily Mail at the time that he "felt honoured" to assist, citing his Canadian heritage and the country's ties to the Crown.