Meghan Markle is to be honoured at a glitzy LA party at the same time as a major royal event – but MailOnline can reveal the California gala has been organised by her own Hollywood power lawyer.
The Duchess of Sussex will take centre stage at the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County’s upcoming Night of Wonder event planned by a close friend and co-architect of Megxit.
Meghan is expected to give a speech after being recognised for her ‘work to advance community wellbeing and expand opportunity — especially for underserved communities’.
It is on the same day as Trooping the Colour in the UK when the royals gather on the Buckingham Palace balcony to mark the King’s official birthday. The Sussexes used to attend but last year were not even invited.
And MailOnline can reveal that one of the event’s organisers is Rick Genow, a friend and business partner of Meghan’s who helped with the business side of the Sussexes’ departure from royal life.
Mr Genow was a key part of the elite Hollywood team Meghan secretly retained throughout her time in the British Royal Family who began poring over a host of multi-million dollar offers as soon as the Sussexes decided to emigrate.
Meghan and Harry have been stepping up their public appearances in LA, including at recent Taylor Swift and Beyonce gigs and were recently pictured with Rick Genow watching the LA Lakers basketball team from a $15,000-a-night private box.
It is not known yet if Prince Harry will also attend the black-tie Night of Wonder ball on Saturday, June 14.
Meghan Markle will be recognised at a LA gala for her ‘work to advance community wellbeing and expand opportunity — especially for underserved communities’
Meghan in a LA Lakers box with Rick Genow, who is co-chair of the black tie bash next weekend that will honour the Duchess of Sussex
Meghan and Harry at Trooping the Colour in 2018. The couple were not invited last year
In a gushing press release ahead of next Saturday’s Night of Wonder, American geologist Lori Bettison-Varga, President and Director of the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County, hailed Meghan as a philanthropist and LA success story.
She said: ‘We are proud to honour Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, a native Angeleno, whose work to advance community wellbeing and expand opportunity — especially for underserved communities — aligns with our equity-focused approach to developing science literacy for the next generation’.
Rick Genow is listed as a co-chair of the upcoming Night of Wonder event along with his wife Mary Fulginiti-Genow.
Describing the gala, the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County has said: ‘Imagine an enchanting night under a canopy of twinkling lights that reflects the breathtaking beauty of LA’s coastal chaparral, oak forests and surrounding dramatic mountain ranges.
‘As guests mingle amidst captivating installations showcasing the wonders of our local ecosystems, they will be inspired by thought-provoking presentations.
‘With live music that echoes the rhythms of LA and interactive experiences connecting attendees to the natural world, the gala will ignite a sense of wonder and appreciation for the incredible local flora and fauna that surrounds us’.
The Genows have asked guests to wear Cocktail attire and said patrons’ support ‘will expand our commitment to being “of, for, and with LA”.
Rick Genow (right) and Andrew Meyer (right) posed together at The Hollywood Reporter’s Power Lawyer’s Breakfast in March, 2019. Both men were key advisors to the Sussexes as they left the UK for the US
In 2020 MailOnline revealed that in the days after the Sussexes announced they were quitting as frontline royals, Meghan’s team led by Rick and her Beverly Hills business manager Andrew Meyer.
They had already discreetly made a significant move involving the Duchess’ company Frim Fram Inc – the firm behind her popular lifestyle blog The Tig.
According to Delaware business records, on December 30, 2019, Frim Fram Inc was registered as a new corporation in the state.
The following day, according to California business records, Frim Fram Inc California was ‘Merged Out’ and incorporated with the Delaware company.
This is significant because Delaware is known as a haven for firms seeking extreme corporate secrecy.
Frim Fram was the vehicle the Duchess used to run her website The Tig, named for her favorite wine, Tignanello, from Tuscany, Italy.
It was a ‘hub for the discerning palate – those with a hunger for food, travel, fashion, and beauty’ and documented her lifestyle and views.
Just before her engagement to Prince Harry in November, 2017 Meghan shut down The Tig and its associated social media accounts.
At the time Rachel Meghan Markle was listed as the president of Frim Fram. Shortly afterwards lawyer Genow was listed as secretary and Meyer was the boss.
A source close to Meghan told MailOnline at the time: ‘Andrew and Rick are very much handling the business operation behind the scenes’.
