The Duchess of Sussex met staff at the National Theatre on London’s South Bank today for her first official visit since succeeding the Queen as its royal patron.
Meghan, who is six months pregnant, wore head-to-toe peach, teaming a £1,728 Brandon Maxwell mini dress with a matching £2,004 blazer, £440 Aquazzura pumps and a Carolina Herrera clutch.
Her hair was styled in a high chignon with a sleek side parting, as she arrived to learn about the work of the institution and meet staff and apprentices working behind the scenes.
The duchess has an affinity with theatre having spent a decade working as an actress in television, where she was best known for playing lawyer Rachel Zane in the hit legal drama series Suits.
During her visit Meghan, 37, joined a workshop with members of the Pericles production before meeting apprentices working as technicians in different departments from carpentry to metalwork and painting.
The Duchess of Sussex arrives at the National Theatre on London ‘s South Bank for her first official visit since succeeding the Queen as its royal patron. Meghan, who is six months pregnant, wore head-to-toe peach
Guest of honour: The National Theatre uploaded footage of the Duchess of Sussex arriving at their London headquarters this afternoon showing her being greeted by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Lambeth (left) and meeting Percy, Blessing and Sharong from the Pericles Public Acts company (right)
Meghan arrives at the National Theatre in London this afternoon. The Duchess, who is six months pregnant, is set to learn about the work of the institution and meet staff and apprentices working behind the scenes during today’s engagement
The Duchess arrives at the National Theatre. During her visit Meghan, 37, will join a workshop with members of the Pericles production before meeting apprentices working as technicians in different departments from carpentry to metalwork
Shortly after arriving, Meghan spoke to technical apprentices Olivia and Kelsey, and former apprentice Tamykha, who were working on some chandeliers for Tartuffe in the Assembly Area.
Before returning to Kensington Palace this afternoon, she watched a performance inspired by War Horse, by children working with the National Theatre’s primary school programme.
Pericles was the National Theatre’s first production of 2018 from its award-winning participatory programme, Public Acts.
The Emily Lim-directed show brought over 200 people of all ages from across London together with six professional actors to breathe new life into the Shakespeare classic in a musical version.
Although Meghan spent ten years working in television, her background is in theatre; as well as a double major in theatre and international relations from Northwestern University, she volunteered at a performing arts after-school programme for children in underprivileged school districts in Los Angeles.
Royally stylish! Meghan, who is around six months pregnant, wore head-to-toe peach, teaming a loose-fitting blazer with a v-neck flared hem dress, Aquazzura pumps and a Carolina Herrera clutch for her visit to the National Theatre today
Perfect role: The duchess has an affinity with theatre having spent a decade working as an actress in television, where she was best known for playing lawyer Rachel Zane in the hit legal drama series Suits
Private tour: Before returning to Kensington Palace this afternoon, Meghan will watch a performance inspired by War Horse, by children working with the National Theatre’s primary school programme
Meghan waves to onlookers as she arrives at the National Theatre to mark her new patronage. Each year, the National Theatre puts on a range of productions that play in London, on tour around the UK, on Broadway and across the globe
Meghan opted for one of her go-to designers for today’s engagement. She teamed £1,728 Brandon Maxwell mini dress with a matching £2,004 blazer, £ 440 Aquazzura pumps and a Carolina Herrera clutch at the National Theatre in London
New role: The Duchess said she was ‘delighted’ to be named as the National Theatre’s new patron ahead of her visit today (pictured). The NT first had its home at the Old Vic theatre, but relocated to its current home on the South Bank in 1976
Earlier this month, following weeks of speculation, Meghan was officially announced as patron of the National Theatre, a post previously held by the Queen for 45 years.
The duchess has previously spoken of her passion for using the arts to bring people from different backgrounds together, and her visit today will focus on the work that the NT does, as well as meeting some of the talented teams and apprentices working behind the scenes.
Each year, the National Theatre puts on a range of productions that play in London, on tour around the UK, on Broadway and across the globe.
In 2017 and 2018 alone, it staged 19 productions at the South Bank, ten across the UK, three in the West End and six internationally.
Its UK-wide learning and participation programme supports young people’s creative education through performance and writing programmes like Connections, New Views and Let’s Play.
Good hair day: The Duchess of Sussex’s tresses were styled in a high chignon with a sleek side parting, as she arrived to learn about the work of the institution and meet staff and apprentices working behind the scenes
Bye for now! The Duchess of Sussex is waved off by Rosi Prescott, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Lambeth, following her first official visit to the National Theatre since being appointed as its new royal patron earlier this month
The Duchess leaves the National Theatre following her first visit as patron. Meghan is also patron of the Association of Commonwealth Universities, which represents higher education across all 53 Commonwealth countries
The NT extends its reach through digital programmes including NT Live, which broadcasts the best of British theatre to over 2,500 venues in 65 countries, and the free streaming service On Demand In Schools, used by nearly 60 per cent of UK state secondary schools.
Founded by Sir Laurence Olivier in 1963, the NT first had its home at the Old Vic theatre, but relocated to its current home on the South Bank in 1976.
Meghan is also patron of the Association of Commonwealth Universities, the world’s first and oldest international university network representing higher education across all 53 Commonwealth countries.
Elsewhere on Wednesday, Prince Harry in his role of Commonwealth Youth Ambassador will meet young people from across the Commonwealth at a roundtable discussion at Lancaster House.