Category: Charities

Categories Association of Commonwealth Universities Charities Mayhew Smart Works The National Theatre

The Duchess of Sussex’s First Patronages Announced

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This morning Kensington Palace released a statement announcing Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex’s first patronages. The four organizations reflect causes and issues Meghan has focused on throughout her humanitarian work, including the arts, access to education, support for women and animal welfare. Two of the organizations have been personally handed down from The Queen. You can read the press release below:

Her Majesty The Queen has passed on two patronages to The Duchess of Sussex –The National Theatre and The Association of Commonwealth Universities. The Queen has held the roles for 45 and 33 years respectively. Her Royal Highness will also take on Patronage of two additional charities as part of her official working portfolio – Smart Works and Mayhew.

The Duchess is delighted to become Patron of both national and grassroots organisations that are part of the fabric of the UK, and is very much looking forward to working with them to bring wider public attention to their causes. Her Royal Highness feels she can use her position to focus attention on, and make a particular difference to these organisations and, more widely, the sectors they each represent.

For the arts, the National Theatre’s mission is to make world class theatre that is entertaining, challenging and inspiring for everyone and to be as inclusive, diverse and national as possible. In support of access to education, the Association of Commonwealth Universities is the world’s first and oldest international university network and the only accredited organisation representing higher education across all 53 Commonwealth countries.

With regards to supporting women, Smart Works helps long-term unemployed and vulnerable women regain the skills, confidence and tools to succeed at job interviews, return to employment and transform their lives. In terms of animal welfare, Mayhew is a grassroots charity working in a unique way to improve the lives of animals and people to better communities both in London and internationally.

Over the last year, Her Royal Highness has held meetings and conducted private visits with each of these organisations. The Duchess will today visit Smart Works and over the next few weeks will undertake public visits to the other three organisations.

Continue Reading At Kensington Palace’s Official Site…

Categories Charities News Royal Baby Royal Tour

The Queen Will Give Her Role at the National Theatre to Meghan Markle

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will begin the new year with an away day to the north west of England, Kensington Palace said on Monday. After taking a short break to celebrate Christmas and the New Year, the couple is back in London and will resume work with a visit to the town of Birkenhead, Merseyside.

According to the itinerary released this afternoon by Kensington Palace, Harry and Meghan will meet veterans and unveil a plaque in the town’s Hamilton Square before visiting an organization that supports vulnerable women and the Hive, Wirral Youth Zone where they will take part in workshops.

As Vanity Fair revealed last year, Meghan, who is feeling well during the third trimester of her pregnancy, has asked aides to fill her diary right up to her due date and the couple is likely to carry out many more engagements over the coming months. Last year, Meghan and Harry clocked up an impressive 289 engagements in the U.K. and overseas, and plans are being drawn up for a tour to Canada and the U.S. this autumn. Continue reading The Queen Will Give Her Role at the National Theatre to Meghan Markle

Categories Charities News Royal Baby Royal Tour

Meghan Markle in 2018: Why the Duchess of Success Is Just Getting Started

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Ms. Markle is looking forward to hitting the ground running,” were the famous words uttered by a Kensington Palace spokesman to a room full of journalists, including this one, during a briefing just over a year ago.

After months of speculation about Meghan’s potential as a member of the royal family, a November 28, 2017 press conference in Buckingham Palace, just a day after her engagement to Prince Harry was announced, offered a glimpse of what was to come.

Having already used the small platform she created while on Suits to spread the word of women’s rights in India and female empowerment for the UN, it was clear Meghan had big plans for her life as a duchess. But even those with the highest of expectations didn’t imagine she would be closing out 2018 with 105 royal engagements under her belt, a four-country tour completed, and a New York Times bestseller. Hit the ground running indeed.

In all honesty, Meghan needn’t have lifted a finger to leave so many impressed this year. Her May wedding to Prince Harry carried powerful cultural meaning, with its sensitive mix of African-American worship tradition and Windsor custom showing us the monarchy was more open to change than we once believed. And to those watching around the world? I’d like to think their marriage has helped further shape how people perceive interracial relationships. Continue reading Meghan Markle in 2018: Why the Duchess of Success Is Just Getting Started

Categories Gallery Updates Queen's Commonwealth Trust

December 05 – Visiting The Association of Commonwealth Universities

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Today, (December 05, 2018) The Duchess of Sussex had an unannounced engagement where she visited The Association of Commonwealth Universities. The ACU posted:

University leaders, academics, and international scholarship students came together at an ACU event on Wednesday 5 December to explore how higher education can help build a better world.

Hosted by King’s College London, the event was an opportunity to discuss the role of universities in addressing human trafficking and modern slavery, gender equality and inclusion, peace and reconciliation, and climate change and resilience.

HRH The Duchess of Sussex attended the event and took part in discussions, following her first official speech to students at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji in October 2018.

This fits perfectly with the reports that Meghan’s public work and patronages will be aimed toward helping women in developing countries by using higher education.

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Appearances & Engagements Photos > Engagements in 2018 > December 05 | Visiting The Association of Commonwealth Universities

Categories Charities Gallery Updates The Royal Foundation Together

Photos: November 21 – Visiting The Hubb Community Kitchen

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This morning, (November 21, 2018) Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex made a previously unannounced visit to The Hubb Community Kitchen. Meghan has been visiting the kitchen privately since January 2018. The Duchess’s visit to the kitchen today was to see how the proceeds of their cookbook Together has been helping the kitchen and local residents. Since the September release of the book it has raised 210,000 in the UK alone. With the help of those funds the women of The Hubb were able to renovate the kitchen and are able to prepare fresh meals seven days a week. During Meghan’s visit today, she toured the newly renovated kitchen and helped prepare the meals that would be sent out today before sitting down with the women to hear about their latest accomplishments and future goals.

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Appearances & Engagements Photos > Engagements in 2018 > November 21 | Visiting The Hubb Community Kitchen

Categories Gallery Updates Royal Family Outing The Royal Foundation

Photos: November 15 – The Royal Foundation’s Annual Dinner

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On (November 15, 2019) The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended The Royal Foundation’s Annual Dinner at the Victoria House in London, England. The dinner is in support of The Royal Foundation which revolves around four main themes of work; mental health, wildlife and conservation, young people and the armed forces community. The Duchess of Sussex became the fourth Principal Patron following her marriage to Prince Harry in May 2018. The Royal Foundation is the Cambridge’s and Sussex’s main vehicle for their philanthropic causes as they seek to invest in, or partner with, organisations with proven impact, using its profile and leverage to create a multiplier effect in resources, outcomes and knowledge. While we normally do not get photos from this event musician Tom Walker who performed at the event shared some of his photos with the William, Catherine, Harry, and Meghan.

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Appearances & Engagements Photos > Engagements In 2018 > November 15 | The Royal Foundation’s Annual Dinner

Categories Gallery Updates Invictus Games Royal Tour: New Zealand

Photos & Roundup: October 28 – Royal Visit New Zealand – Day 13

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The Duke and Duchess will depart on a Royal New Zealand AirForce flight for Wellington. Their Royal Highnesses will travel on the same aircraft as a number of the New Zealand Invictus Games competitors, and on arrival, will be met off the plane together by the Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

From the airport, Their Royal Highnesses will attend the traditional welcome ceremony on the lawns of Government House – the residence of the Governor-General to New Zealand Dame Patsy Reddy. Their Royal Highnesses will be invited to hongi with the Governor-General’s Kuia and Kaumātua (Māori elders), before the pōwhiri, which includes a haka performed by members of the New Zealand Defence Force. The ceremony will also include a 21-gun salute, and will be attended by school children.

Their Royal Highnesses will then travel to the Pukeahu National War Memorial Park. Here, they will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, and will visit the newly unveiled UK War Memorial – whose design takes the form of two of the United Kingdom and New Zealand’s most iconic trees – the Royal Oak and a Pōhutakawa. This engagement will be followed by a public walkabout in the Memorial Park.

That evening, The Duke and Duchess will receive official calls from the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition at Government House, before attending a reception hosted by the Governor General celebrating the 125th anniversary of women’s suffrage in New Zealand.

GALLERY LINK
Engagements In 2018 > Commonwealth Tour > October 28 | Commonwealth Tour – Day 13 – Set 1
Engagements In 2018 > Commonwealth Tour > October 28 | Commonwealth Tour – Day 13 – Set 2
Engagements In 2018 > Commonwealth Tour > October 28 | Commonwealth Tour – Day 13 – Set 3

Categories Gallery Updates Invictus Games Royal Tour: Australia

Photos & Roundup: October 27 – Royal Visit Australia – Day 12

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U.S.A. WINS GOLD: The last day of the Australian programme falls on the final day of the Invictus Games. After having the morning off Their Royal Highnesses spent the afternoon at the wheelchair basketball finals at the Quay Centre. Meghan cheered her native home team on to victory with the U.S. winning 29-17 over the Netherlands team. Meghan presented the medals with Harry with one competitor stealing a kiss on the cheek from Meghan.

UNTIL NEXT TIME: The Closing Ceremony that evening took place at Qudos Bank Arena. The event, at which both The Duke and Duchess will spoke, was full of celebration of the outstanding achievements and inspiring spirit of the Invictus Games competitors. You can watch the closing ceremony at the link below, you don’t want to miss Harry and Meghan’s incredible speeches, but also the performances by Grammy-nominated artist Aloe Blacc and The Kingdom Chior which performed at the couple’s wedding in May.

VIDEOS: Invictus Games: Sydney 2018 Closing Ceremony

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Engagements In 2018 > Invictus Games: Sydney > October 27 | Commonwealth Tour – Day 8 – Set 1
Engagements In 2018 > Invictus Games: Sydney > October 27 | Commonwealth Tour – Day 8 – Set 2

Categories Gallery Updates Invictus Games Royal Tour: Australia The Royal Foundation

Photos & Roundup: October 21 – Royal Visit Australia – Day 6

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Although Meghan was scheduled to attend the Road Cycling event during the Invictus Games, she did not. Multiple royal correspondents on Twitter reported that a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess said:

“After a busy programme, The Duke and Duchess decided to cut back the Duchess’s schedule slightly for the next couple days, ahead of the final week and a half of the tour.”

Harry and Meghan will fly to Fraser Island together as planned, but she may not undertake many engagements in Fraser Island due to the tough terrain. Reports are also clarifying that Meghan is feeling good, just tired as she has said herself for the last few days. It seems the Palace thinks it’s wise for Meghan to pace herself over the next week and a half.

Here at Simply Meghan we wish The Duchess the best and hope she takes all the time she needs to care for herself and her baby. We’ll be sure to keep track of all the latest updates regarding Meghan’s edited schedule, you can also follow us on Twitter @meghanmarkleorg where we retweet all updates.

INVICTUS GAMES: Their Royal Highnesses attended a lunchtime Reception hosted by the Prime Minister, with Invictus Games competitors and representatives from the community in the city’s central parkland, The Domain. The reception was held at the Pavilion restaurant where Harry and Meghan chatted with guests and posed for photos.


VIDEOS: Harry And Meghan Attend Reception

SMOOTH SAILING: Meghan did join Harry to watch the Invictus sailing event. The couple cheered on the competitors and Prince Harry received quite a big bear hug when one very excited Invictus competitor jumped into the boat. You can watch the video below. We just love the relationship Prince Harry has with the men and women of Invictus.

VIDEOS: A Bear Hug For Prince Harry

GALLERY LINK
Engagements In 2018 > Invictus Games: Sydney > October 21 | Commonwealth Tour – Day 2 – Set 1
Engagements In 2018 > Invictus Games: Sydney > October 21 | Commonwealth Tour – Day 2 – Set 2