The Duchess of Sussex today helped give fashion tips to women at a charity helping the long-term unemployed and vulnerable – one of her four new patronages announced today – and declared: ‘I’m so happy to be here.’
Meghan, 37, arrived this morning at Smart Works, based at St Charles Hospital in North Kensington, West London, which provides high-quality interview clothes and training to unemployed women in need.
The former actress, who is expecting her first child in the spring, wore a dress by Hatch, a coat from Oscar de la Renta and Kimai earrings as she helped employment hopefuls including Patsy, 56, to choose an outfit.
The Duchess has privately visited Smart Works several times over the last year and worked with some of the women who have benefited from the charity’s support, Kensington Palace revealed.
She told the group, which included two former clients: ‘I’m so happy to be here. You guys know I’ve been quietly coming by… close to a year. It’s nice to be able to now do it publicly and really talk about the work that you do.’
The charity in North Kensington, West London, provides high-quality interview clothes and training to unemployed women
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex looks at bags with Smart Works charity chair Lady Juliet Hughes-Hallett in West London today
The former actress wore a dress by Hatch, a coat from Oscar de la Renta and Kimai earrings as she helped some of the women
Meghan was met at her car by the charity’s chief executive Kate Stephens. She smiled as she was also greeted by the charity’s chair and founder, Lady Juliet Hughes-Hallett.
The Duchess waved at the press before heading inside. Women are referred to the charity from organisations such as jobcentres, work programmes, prisons, care homes, homeless shelters and mental health charities.
Kensington Palace announced today that Meghan has also taken on honorary roles with the National Theatre and Association of Commonwealth Universities – patronages both previously held by the Queen.
The Queen has been patron of the National Theatre for 45 years and the ACU for 33 years. The Duchess will also be patron of Mayhew, an animal charity based in Kensal Green, North West London.
The Duchess, pictured today, has privately visited Smart Works several times over the last year
The ex-actress wore a dress by Hatch, a coat from Oscar de la Renta and Kimai earrings today
Ms Stephens said the Duchess had made several private visits to the Smart Works centre last year.
She added: ‘She’s really hands-on and involved, and has a natural empathy with people that we’ve been really impressed by, she’s amazing. She puts people at their ease. It does feel slightly surreal.’
The duchess heard from staff members about the work of the charity and met women who have benefited from its support.
Meghan’s appointment at the National Theatre had been widely expected after she met privately with the theatre’s director Rufus Norris, but Kensington Palace had remained tight-lipped until 9am today.
Lady Juliet Hughes-Hallett (left), chair of Smart Works, and Kate Stephens (right), its chief executive, welcome Meghan today
Meghan arrived at Smart Works, based at St Charles Hospital in North Kensington, West London, at 11am today
Meghan joins a discussion at Smart Works with volunteers and women the charity has helped succeed in job interviews
The Queen had been patron of the theatre, but it had been widely expected she would hand one of her patronages to her new granddaughter-in-law at some point this year.
Today’s announcement is a major milestone for the American-born former actress, outlining the first steps of her public life as a member of the monarchy.
News of Meghan’s patronage with the theatre on London’s South Bank comes after a news item entitled ‘The Duchess of Sussex announced as our new Royal Patron’ with today’s date – January 10 – was last night unexpectedly posted on its website.
It was taken down quickly – but not before royal watchers had spotted it.
The Duchess of Sussex, who is expecting her first child, was met at her car by Smart Works chief executive Kate Stephens
The Duchess had made several private visits to the centre already, and was described as being ‘really hands-on and involved’
Press releases are often prepared by PR teams days in advance – suggesting someone accidentally put the story ‘live’ while preparing it for future publication.
Meghan, 37, who is expecting her first baby with Prince Harry this spring, today announced details of which organisations she wishes to champion as part of her public work imminently.
She has visited a number of charities since her wedding last May – including the Hubb Community Kitchen and various groups supporting female empowerment and education.
Last month the biggest clue to her taking over as National patron came when the Court Circular, the official record of the Royal Family’s work, reported: ‘The Duchess of Sussex today received Mr Rufus Norris (Artistic Director, the National Theatre).’
It is a good match for Meghan, a former actress who was starring in hit US legal drama Suits when she met Harry and gave up her career to marry him.
Today, Mr Norris said: ‘I would like to thank the Queen for Her Majesty’s long and unwavering support and service to the National Theatre.
‘We were honoured when the Queen became our patron in 1974 and have celebrated many moments together including, in recent years, the Diamond Jubilee and the marking of our 50th anniversary.
The Queen had been patron of the theatre, but it had been widely expected she would hand one of her patronages to Meghan (pictured in Cheshire last June) at some point this year
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are pictured in their most recent joint public outing, at church in Norfolk on Christmas Day
Meghan, pictured meeting the cast of Hamilton in London with Prince Harry last August, is a former actress
‘It is a privilege to welcome the Duchess of Sussex as our new patron.
‘The duchess shares our deeply held conviction that theatre has the power to bring together people from all communities and walks of life. I very much look forward to working closely with Her Royal Highness in the years to come.’
The duchess is expected to carry out a public visit to the National Theatre in the coming weeks.
Dr Joanna Newman, chief executive and secretary general of the Association of Commonwealth Universities, said: ‘We are absolutely delighted that HRH The Duchess of Sussex has chosen to become Patron of the ACU.
‘The Duchess shares our passion for the transformational power of higher education, and Her Royal Highness’ support will help champion higher education as a force for good in the Commonwealth and beyond.
‘We would like to thank Her Majesty The Queen for her support, and we look forward to working closely with The Duchess as our Patron.’
Mayhew tweeted: ‘We’re honoured to reveal that Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex has become a Patron of Mayhew.
Meghan has visited a number of charities since her wedding last May – including the Hubb Community Kitchen in North Kensington, West London
‘We’re thrilled that HRH shares our commitment to improving the lives of animals and people, and are excited to make a difference together.’
And Smart Works said on Twitter: ‘We are honoured to announce that HRH The Duchess of Sussex will become the royal patron of Smart Works.
The Duchess’s decision to support Smart Works reflects her passion in supporting women and her commitment will help women in need across the UK.’
Juliet Hughes-Hallett, its chair and founder, said: ‘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.
Chief executive Kate Stephens said: ‘We are delighted that the Duchess of Sussex is our royal patron. It is our vision that we 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.’
Duchess backs charity helping unemployed women
Samantha Cameron, Smart Works chief Kate Stephens and Louise Redknapp at an event for the charity in London last March
Created in September 2013, Smart Works is a charity helping long-term unemployed and vulnerable women.
Three in five women successfully return to work following their involvement with the charity.
The Duchess has visited it several times over the last year and worked with women helped through coaching and interview preparation.
The charity also provides complete outfits for job interviews, aiming to dress 3,500 women this year across their two London offices, and additional bases in Edinburgh, Manchester, Reading, Birmingham and Newcastle.
Smart Works is also supported by celebrities including Samantha Cameron and Louise Redknapp.
In recent years, Meghan has travelled to India and Rwanda working on projects to help women in challenging situations.