Official Engagement – Page 3 – Simply Meghan Markle

January 16 – The Duchess of Sussex Visits The Mayhew

In her first engagement of the day and her first visit as Patron, The Duchess of Sussex visited Mayhew. The Mayhew is an animal welfare charity working to improve the lives of dogs, cats and people in communities both in London and internationally. Meghan met with volunteers and residents who have used some of the Mayhew’s services including The TheraPaws Program which uses volunteers and their therapy dogs to go into care and residential homes, hospitals, hospices and day centres across London to engage with residents, provide companionship and brighten up their day and the Mayhew’s Pet Refuge, which provides shelter and care for the pets of people in crisis for short periods of time, like being hospitalised. The Duchess chatted with Afghanistan Country Director, Dr Mo, to learn more about the Mayhew’s work abroad and Head Vet Nurse, Gillian Rich RVN, who spoke about the veterinary work they do on-site at the Community Vet Clinic. Ever the animal lover Meghan was smitten with several of the dogs who either have been adopted from the shelter or looking for their forever homes. We’re sure they won’t be looking for long now!

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January 14 – The Duke And Duchess of Sussex Visit Birkenhead

Today, (January 14, 2018) The Duke and Duchess of Sussex traveled to Birkenhead for a day of engagements. The royal couple started off their day at Hamilton Square where they viewed a new sculpture erected in November to mark the 100th anniversary of Wilfred Owen’s death. The statue, named after one of the war poet’s poems ‘Futility’, is cast in bronze and represents an exhausted WW1 soldier. Harry and Meghan met local veterans and members of the Birkenhead Institute Old Boys, of which Wilfred Owen belonged to, and which played a part in the creation of the tribute. The couple then greeted the large crowds of waiting admirers. During the walkabout Meghan revealed that she is six months pregnant, but revealed later that she and Harry don’t know if the baby is a boy or girl.

In the couple’s second unannounced engagement they officially opened Number 7, a ‘Feeding Birkenhead’ citizens supermarket and community cafe, at Princess Pavements, Pyramids Shopping Centre,the new store enables local families to buy their weekly shopping at a discounted price, and provides advice and advocacy on benefits, looking for work, debt, budgeting, and cooking. They also revealed plans to launch a “baby basics” program which will provide baby clothes and toiletries to new moms. The couple toured the new supermarket and enjoyed coffee and tea with the locals.

The Duke and Duchess then visited Tomorrows Women, an organization that supports women in vulnerable circumstances. They offer an extensive range of training courses and workshops for more than 6000 women as well as support groups focusing on mental health issues, domestic abuse, and addiction. Harry and Meghan met women taking part in a knitting and flower arranging sessions.

Their last stop of the day was at The Hive, a safe environment for young people to enjoy themselves, building key skills and raising their aspirations and confidence. Harry and Meghan enjoyed a performance upon their arrival by the Junior Dance Troupe and took part in a number of activities and workshops throughout the centre.

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January 10 – The Duchess of Sussex Visits Smart Works

Today, (January 10, 2019) The Duchess of Sussex visited Smart Works, a charity that 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. The charity offers high quality interview clothes and interview training to unemployed women in need. During The Duchess of Sussex’s visit she joined a discussion with volunteers and women they have helped succeed in job interviews and coached a client to help her start her own business. She also took part in two styling session, helping a woman named Patsy style an outfit for her new job. Today, Meghan was announced as Patron of the charity.

Lady Hughes-Hallett, Chair and Founder of Smart Works, said:

“We are thrilled to announce that The Duchess of Sussex will become the Royal Patron of Smart Works. An acknowledged champion of women and their rights worldwide, The Duchess will motivate ever more women to come to our centres and get the job that will transform their lives. The Duchess’s patronage will inspire the women we serve and help them reach for the stars.”

“We have been honoured to welcome The Duchess to our West London centre and see her engage with our clients and volunteers. Her empathy and insight were obvious. The Duchess is a natural coach and our clients were inspired and helped by her.”

Kate Stephens, CEO of Smart Works, said:

“We are delighted to announce that HRH The Duchess of Sussex is our Royal Patron. At Smart Works, we are passionate about helping women be the best that they can be. It is the Smart Works vision that one day we will have enough centres nationwide to reach every woman who needs us. The support of The Duchess of Sussex will help us enormously in achieving this goal.”

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Photos: October 3 – The Duke & Duchess Of Sussex Visiting Sussex

On the day of their wedding back in May, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were given the titles of Duke and Duchess of Sussex by the Queen. And it has taken almost five months for the pair to check out “their” territory themselves, as the couple is visiting Sussex for the first time on Wednesday.

Harry and Meghan arrived in the county, located about 50 miles south of London, for a series of engagements. They were greeted by throngs of well-wishers, including a group of students from Westbourne House School, according to People, who initially welcomed them and created an “A-Z guide to Sussex” for the pair. Meghan, who reportedly asked all the children their names, reportedly responded, “Oh my goodness, thank you. That’s very cool,” to the presentation of the gift.

The pair had a busy day scheduled, as they looked at the Sussex copy of the American Declaration of Independence and visited both an animation workshop and a rehearsal of a university orchestra.

Meghan wore a cream coat made by Armani for the day trip, with a dark green shirt (by & Other Stories) paired with a green leather pencil skirt (by Hugo Boss). She stuck with the green theme with her bag, the “Nina” by Gabriela Hearst.

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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Next Royal Date Is Right Where They Belong

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are about to come face-to-face with their royal namesake!

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are set to make their first joint visit to Sussex (about 50 miles south of London) on October 3, where they will see the historic Sussex Declaration, open a Tech Park and visit with locals.

Queen Elizabeth gave the couple their brand new royal titles — the Duke and Duchess of Sussex — on the morning of their royal wedding on May 19. Bestowing titles to members of the royal family on their wedding day is a longtime tradition. When Prince William and Kate Middleton got married, they became the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Just like most royal dukedoms, the title Duke of Sussex carries quite a bit of history. Though it first appeared as early as the 800s, it’s traceable origins start with Prince Augustus Frederick, son of King George III (who was the British monarch during the American Revolution). Continue reading Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Next Royal Date Is Right Where They Belong

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Photos: The Duchess of Sussex Opens ‘Oceania’ At The Royal Academy Of Arts

Today, September 25, 2018, The Duchess of Sussex went on her first solo engagement since becoming the newest member of the Royal Family when she opened the new exhibition ‘Oceania’ at The Royal Academy Of Arts. The ‘Oceania’ exhibition features art from New Zealand, Fiji, the Kingdom of Tonga, and Australia – all countries Harry and Meghan will visit in October. During her visit she spoke to some of the artists as well as descendants linked to the works on display.

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Photos: September 24 – The Duke & Duchess Of Sussex Attend Coach Core Awards

On Monday, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry stopped by Loughborough University for the first Coach Core Awards, celebrating a program that encourages young people to become involved in sports coaching. They were total sports themselves at the event, which took place in a gymnasium, starting things off by joining in on a netball practice drill before testing their skills with a shootout and meeting program participants. The Coach Core program serves young adults from around the U.K., providing training for “apprentices” who receive mentoring and other coaching skills so they can become professionals in the field. It kicked off following the 2012 London Olympics, and is getting an extra infusion of funding this year.

The Duchess of Sussex presents the ‘Graduate of the Year’ award to Sebastian Vidal.

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