Meghan Markle makes surprise visit to Texas school memorial

The Duchess of Sussex made an unannounced and unexpected visit to the memorial of a Texas school shooting, where 19 children and two teachers were killed.

Meghan Markle has made a surprise, unannounced visit to the memorial for the victims of the Texas school mass shooting.

The Duchess of Sussex arrived at the Uvalde to pay respects to the 19 children and two teachers killed by 18-year-old gunman Salvador Ramos.

The 40-year-old Duchess of Sussex — wearing blue jeans, a white T-shirt and a blue baseball cap — reached down with her head bowed and placed flowers at a makeshift memorial outside the courthouse in Uvalde.

She toured the memorial looking at white crosses bearing the names of the young victims.

Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, places flowers as she mourns at a makeshift memorial outside Uvalde County Courthouse in Texas. Picture: AFP.

Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, places flowers as she mourns at a makeshift memorial outside Uvalde County Courthouse in Texas. Picture: AFP.

She bowed her head as she left flowers and a purple ribbon at the cross for Uziyah Garcia, who was described by his grandfather, Manny Renfro, as the “sweetest” little eight-year-old boy he’s ever known.

Meghan did not appear in photos to be accompanied by Prince Harry, and a spokesperson for the Duchess told People that she appeared in a personal capacity as a mother, and to offer condolences and support.

She did not address the rush of media that has descended on the small town in the wake of the worst school shooting since Sandy Hook in 2012.

The tour of the memorial came after she donated two large bags of food for volunteers hosting a blood drive at the nearby Herby Ham Activity Centre, according to BuzzFeed.

Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, places flowers as she mourns at a makeshift memorial outside Uvalde County Courthouse in Texas. Picture: AFP.

Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, places flowers as she mourns at a makeshift memorial outside Uvalde County Courthouse in Texas. Picture: AFP.

Volunteers at the blood drive told BuzzFeed that Meghan dropped off two crates filled with sandwiches, beverages, and desserts for blood donors.

“I had no idea who she was. She just was carrying on a conversation like her and I knew each other for years,” volunteer Gloria Contreras, 40, told the outlet.

“I even talked about my personal life, telling her about my son and my family and, you know, coming to Texas because she told me she was from Santa Barbara and I said, ‘Well, you need to come to Texas!’” Contreras said.

Her visit to the community, west of San Antonio, comes as her father recovers in hospital after a suspected stroke earlier this week.

Meghan Markle and father Thomas Markle.

Thomas Markle, 77, was transported from Tijuana, Mexico, across the border in an oxygen mask for treatment after suffering a “major stroke”, just days before he was due to fly to London for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Meghan’s estranged father was due to visit Windsor Castle in an effort to see his grandchildren for the first time.

Samantha Markle said in a statement to the Daily Mail that her father was recovering in hospital and that they’re praying for his health.

“It’s a travesty how much he’s been tortured and how much he’s had to go through thanks to my sister’s disregard the past few years,” Ms Markle said of her famous sister. “That is unforgivable.”

Mr Markle is recovering in Chula Vista, California, only a few hours from the home his daughter shares with Prince Harry, Archie and Lilibet in Montecito, and speculation is mounting whether Meghan will visit him after years of estrangement.