Filed in Gallery Updates Royal Visit

November 06 – Visiting The Broom Farm Community Centre

On November 06, 2019 The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made a private visit to The Broom Farm Community Centre.

A post on Sussex Royal said: “The Duke and Duchess surprised their neighbours in Windsor at a coffee morning for military families in a community centre located in the heart of the Army housing estate. Every year during the month of November we pause to remember and honour all those who have served their country here in the UK, across the Commonwealth and around the world. Their Royal Highnesses also wanted to show support for the families of service personnel who are currently deployed overseas.

As we lead up to Remembrance Sunday, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will join Her Majesty The Queen and other Members of the Royal Family at various commemoration events, including the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall and the Cenotaph.

During the visit yesterday, Their Royal Highnesses met with young families who shared their experiences as parents and as couples who are often apart from their loved ones for months at a time. A reminder that a life of service does not simply describe the person wearing the uniform, but the entire family.”

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Appearances & Engagements Photos > Engagements in 2019 > November 06 | Visiting The Broom Farm Community Centre

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Filed in Gallery Updates Royal Visit

Photos – The Duchess of Sussex Visits The Luminary Bakery

The Sussex Royal Instagram account revealed that the Duchess of Sussex made a private visit to The Luminary Bakery.

First featured in British Vogue’s ‘Forces For Change’ September issue that Meghan guest edited. The Luminary Bakery is a non profit bakery that uses baking as a tool to take women on a journey to employ ability and entrepreneurship, equipping them with transferable skills for the working world. Offering courses, work experience and paid employment within the bakery, empowering women to build their career. By investing in and releasing them to realize their dreams – through training, employment and community, they aim to break cycles of poverty, violence & disadvantage once and for all.

This visit coincides with a story for The Telegraph by journalist Bryony Gordon who followed The Duchess as she joined The Luminary Bakery for the opening of their new location which will enable the organisation to provide services, support and mentoring for four times the number of women. You can read the article here where Meghan talks about how vulnerability is one of humanity’s greatest strengths.

During her visit Meghan met with the women of the bakery who shared their emotional stories with her.

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Photoshoots & Official Portraits > Charity Projects > The Luminary Bakery 2019

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Filed in Gallery Updates Royal Tour: South Africa Royal Visit

Photos & Roundup: October 02 – Royal Visit South Africa – Day 10

FROM SUSSEX ROYAL: In Tembisa, Johannesburg, today The Duke and Duchess visited to meet young entrepreneurs at the YES hub – a hive for creativity and social enterprise. Their visit was an amazing tour of the ingenuity and opportunity – seeing businesses that varied from food to essential sanitary products for local women.

During their visit, they were able to sample food from ‘Chef Mish’ – a local masterchef winner – which he makes at the site as part of his catering business and cafe. They then joined YES community members to take part in training and tests that will help them gain skills and find work.

On the third stop today, entrepreneur Moss showed The Duke and Duchess the organic produce he’s growing in the township with aquaponics – supplying local restaurants.

And finally, The Duke and Duchess met the women behind the amazing Blossom Care Solutions – who are making 80,000 sanitary pads every month for women in their community. They are 100% compostable, and provide an essential low-cost product for women and girls.

The Duchess has long campaigned on this issue and wrote in Time magazine in 2017, saying: “In communities all over the globe, young girls’ potential is being squandered because we are too shy to talk about the most natural thing in the world. To that I say: we need to push the conversation, mobilize policy making surrounding menstrual health initiatives, support organizations who foster girls’ education from the ground up, and within our own homes, we need to rise above our puritanical bashfulness when it comes to talking about menstruation.”

FROM SUSSEX ROYAL: Today as they near the end of #RoyalVisitSouthAfrica The Duke and Duchess have been able to spend time with Graça Machel – the politician, humanitarian, and international advocate for women’s and children’s rights.

Their Royal Highnesses were delighted to be able to meet Graça and her family, and talk about their shared passion for their work on equality and human rights.

Graça, who was married to former South African President and anti-apartheid campaigner Nelson Mandela, was made an honorary British Dame by Her Majesty The Queen for her contributions and services to human rights protection.

Appearances & Engagements Photos > South Africa Tour > October 02 |South Africa Tour – Day 10 – Set 1
Appearances & Engagements Photos > South Africa Tour > October 02 | South Africa Tour – Day 10 – Set 2

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Filed in Association of Commonwealth Universities Royal Tour Royal Tour: South Africa Royal Visit

Photos & Roundup: October 01 – Royal Visit South Africa – Day 9

On the final leg of The Duke and Duchesses tour of South Africa, The Duchess of Sussex travelled to Johannesburg for a number of education themed engagements.

UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG: Meghan’s first stop was to the University of Johannesburg in her role as Patron of The Association of Commonwealth Universities. The Association of Commonwealth Universities is the world’s first international university network, and is the only accredited organisation representing higher education across the Commonwealth. The ACU manages international scholarship schemes, including The Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships, and convenes universities to address key policy challenges such as gender and equity, climate resilience, and peace and reconciliation.

During her visit The Duchess of Sussex attended a round-table discussion at the University joining students and educators who openly discussed challenges for girls gaining access to university. Meghan also revealed three new gender grants for the University of Johannesburg, Stellenbosch University and the University of Western Cape. Of which the grant for Stellenbosch will fund a ‘unique campus walking route’ designed to make both men and women feel safer at university. Duchess Meghan also revealed four new Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships for students from Tanzania, Zambia and Nigeria.

ACTIONAID: Next, The Duchess of Sussex visited a local school in Johannesburg to meet with representatives from ActionAid to discuss a range of issues including gender based and sexual violence in schools. Prince Charles is currently the Patron of ActionAid, a charity that is working to achieve social justice and gender equality, and working to eradicate poverty. Focusing specifically on women right’s which is a thread throughout their work. One of the projects Action Aid works with is the Teddy Bear Clinic, which provides essential support to children and families affected by domestic and sexual abuse. After the meeting with representatives The Duchess traveled privately to meet young girls who are being supported by ActionAid and The Teddy Bear Clinic.

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Appearances & Engagements Photos > South Africa Tour > October 01 | South Africa Tour – Day 9 – Set 1
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Filed in Gallery Updates Royal Tour Royal Tour: South Africa Royal Visit

Photos & Roundup: September 30 – Royal Visit South Africa – Day 8

On September 30, 2019 The Duchess of Sussex made a unannounced visit to Johannesburg’s Victoria Yards, a place for artisans and craftspeople to work and share their creations.

Meghan visited several organizations and small businesses including Sneakers 4 Change, an organization that collects and donates sneakers to those who are less fortunate and Young Bucks, a small business that makes books from recycled materials. During the stop, Meghan revealed that she used to teach a bookbinding class. At Sobae Frozen, a small business inspired by a desire to reduce food waste, The Duchess sampled flavors of vegan sherbet made from unused fruit from Victoria Yards.

The Duchess met Tshepo Jeanmaker, a local designer from Soweto who makes custom jeans,he revealed that he received a call from the British Embassy last month requesting he create a pair of jeans for Meghan. He also created a pair of overalls for Archie and was quite surprised that The Duchess picked them up herself.

Meghan also toured Delaney Studio with Contemporary artist James Delaney who works in paint, sculpture, charcoal and print from his studio at Victoria Yards. The Duchess also chatted with several craftsmen and artisans.

At the end of her visit, The Duchess was moved by the original poetry of Belita Andre, the winner of the Poetry Grandslam. In her reading she said: “The Maker’s Valley is a social and enterprise hub, a wave between my corner of the world and yours. Insisting that beyond the anchors of survival. How to make sure that everyone gets to shore, pass around an ocean of stars, not because our sleepless nights are equal but because our dreams are.”

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Appearances & Engagements Photos > South Africa Tour > September 30 | South Africa Tour – Day 8 – Set 1

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Photos & Roundup: September 26 – Royal Visit South Africa – Day 4
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Photos & Roundup: September 26 – Royal Visit South Africa – Day 4

On September 26, 2019 The Duchess of Sussex made a private visit to the memorial site of Uyinene Mrwetyana, a 19-year-old student who was brutally tortureed, raped and murdered outside of a post office in an act of gender based violence that has been an issue and cause of protest throughout the streets of South Africa.

According to the Sussex Royal Instagram Account Harry and Meghan had been closely following what had happened and were both eager to learn more when they arrived in South Africa. The Duchess even spoke to the mother of Uyinene this week to relay their condolences.

During her visit to the memorial site, Meghan tied a yellow ribbon among the others with “Simi kunye kulesisimo: We stand together in this moment” written in Xhosa. This trip was incredibly important to the Duchess as she wanted to recognize Uyinene, and all women and girls effected by Gender Based Violence (specifically in South Africa, but also throughout the world).

Sussex Royal also revealed that Meghan has taken on a number of private visits and meetings over the last two days to deepen her understanding of the current situation and continue to advocate for the rights of women and girls.

On Thursday morning, The Duchess also attended a private breakfast for “Women In Public Service” at the High Commission in Cape Town. The invited guests have played a role in the development of South Africa’s institutions, and continue to advocate for women’s rights, education and healthcare. No photos from this event have been released yet and at the time reporters said we would hear more about it “later this week”.

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Engagements in 2019 > South Africa Tour > September 26 | South Africa Tour – Day 4 – Set 1

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Photos & Roundup: September 23 – Royal Visit South Africa – Day 1
Filed in Charities Gallery Updates Queen's Commonwealth Trust Royal Baby Royal Tour Royal Tour: South Africa

Photos & Roundup: September 23 – Royal Visit South Africa – Day 1

NYANGA TOWNSHIP: The first stop on the tour was to the township of Nyanga, whose name means ‘moon’ in the local dialect of Xhosa, it is one of the oldest black townships in Cape Town and was established in 1946 as a result of the migrant labor system. At present time unemployment is above 50 per cent and HIV/Aids is a community issue. The community also has the highest murder rate in the country and tops the lists for car jackings and house robberies. Last year there were a reported 308 murders.

In this town The Duke and Duchess visited the Justice Desk initiative, which teaches children about their rights, self-awareness and safety, and provides self-defense classes and female empowerment training to young girls in the community. The Justice Desk is supported by The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, of which Harry serves as President and Meghan as Vice-President. While there the Duke and Duchess met Jessica Dewhurst, Justice Desk Founder and Queen’s Young Leader, Theodora Luthuli, Justice Desk Community Leader, and Sylvia Hobe, Theodora’s mother and the center’s founder. Harry and Meghan observed the Mbokodo project which provides self-defense classes and female empowerment workshops to young girls who are overcoming major traumas. This project’s powerful motto is “wathint’ abafazi wathint’ imbokodo” which means “you strike a woman; you strike a rock” before getting the chance to talk with the girls.

Following the tour of the center, Harry and Meghan both made fantastic speeches which you can view here. Meghan said in part: “While I am here with my husband as a member of the Royal Family, I am here with you as a mother, as a wife, as a woman, as a woman of color, and as your sister. I am here with you and I am here for you.” The couple were then presented with a South African Xhosa name for their son Archie, “Ntsika” which means pillar of strength which was given to him by the township’s godmothers, referred to as Gogo’s. In a fun spontaneous moment at the end of the engagement Meghan joined in with the women who were dancing upon their departure. I’m sure this moment will be a favorite of many today.

DISTRICT SIX MUSEUM: In their second engagement of the day The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited the District Six Museum. District Six Museum is located in an old Methodist church in the former inner-city residential area. The District Six Foundation was founded in 1989 and the museum in 1994, as a memorial to the forced movement of 60,000 inhabitants of various races in District Six during Apartheid in South Africa in the 1970s. The Duke and Duchess toured the museum viewing the old traffic signs, exhibits of historical moments and lives of families from the area, historical declarations, exhibits about the demolition, and hand written notes of former inhabitants, which indicate where their houses were located.

After a short walkabout, Harry and Meghan went to the nearby Homecoming Centre where they joined former residents of District Six in a community cooking workshop. The Duke and Duchess were treated to food cooked by local women that showed a variety of recipes. This engagement goes hand in hand with Meghan’s work with the Hubb Kitchen back in London, which showcases the importance of how cooking can bring a community together. It was reported that Meghan did indeed gift the local women a copy of her ‘Together’ cookbook.

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Appearances & Engagement Photos > Engagements in 2019 > South Africa Tour > September 23 | South Africa Tour – Day 1 – Set 1
Appearances & Engagement Photos > Engagements in 2019 > South Africa Tour > September 23 | South Africa Tour – Day 1 – Set 2

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September 20 – Wedding Of Misha Nonoo And Mikey Hess
Filed in Candids

September 20 – Wedding Of Misha Nonoo And Mikey Hess

On September 20, 2019 The Duke and Duchess of Sussex traveled to Rome for the wedding of designer Misha Nonoo and oil tycoon Mikey Hess.

The Duke and Duchess have been friends of Misha Nonoo for several years and she is rumored to have set them up on their blind date in 2016.

Others in attendance included Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, and lots of celebrities including Katy Perry, Orlando Bloom, James Corden, Paul MacCartney, and Karlie Kloss to name a few.

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Candid Photos > Candids from 2019 > September 20 | Wedding Of Misha Nonoo And Mikey Hess

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September 12 – Smart Works Capsule Collection Launch
Filed in Charities Gallery Updates Smart Works

September 12 – Smart Works Capsule Collection Launch

Today, September 12, 2019 The Duchess of Sussex along with her patronage Smart Works launched the Smart Works Capsule Collection in London on the rooftop garden of John Lewis & Partners.

The collection brought together fashion & retail brands, Jigsaw, John Lewis & Partners, Marks & Spencer and Misha Nonoo to create a five piece collection of work wear that includes shirts, trousers, blazers, dresses and bags.

The idea for the collection came after Meghan noticed that while donations to Smart Works were plentiful the sizes weren’t always right or the pieces didn’t always fit together.

With this new collection for every item bought, one will be donated to Smart Works.

In a statement released before the launch, Meghan said:

“Since moving to the UK, it has been deeply important to me to meet with communities and organisations on the ground doing meaningful work and to try to do whatever I can to help them amplify their impact.

It was just last September that we launched the ‘Together’ cookbook with the women of the Hubb Kitchen in Grenfell. Now, one year later, I am excited to celebrate the launch of another initiative of women supporting women, and communities working together for the greater good.

When you buy any item in the Smart Set Capsule Collection for Smart Works, the same item will be given to a Smart Works client, and with it, the confidence and support she needs to enter the workforce and take an important step in building a career.

Thank you to the four brands who came together in supporting Smart Works on this special project – placing purpose over profit and community over competition. In convening several companies rather than one, we’ve demonstrated how we can work collectively to empower each other – another layer to this communal success story, that I am so proud to be a part of.”

Meghan also gave a wonderful six minute speech at the launch which you can watch above.

Buy The Items: M&S COLLECTION Crepe Shift Dress | John Lewis & Partners Leather Smart Set Tote Bag (SOLD OUT) | Jigsaw Smart Set Paris Trouser | Jigsaw Smart Set Paris Seam Detail Jacket | Misha Nonoo The Smart Set Shirt

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Appearances & Engagements Photos > Engagements in 2019 > September 12 | Smart Works Capsule Collection Launch

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