She’s already popped in on two of her new patronages and now the Duchess of Sussex has visits lined up to the remaining organisations which she’s supporting. Next week Meghan will carry out engagements at the National Theatre and the Association of Commonwealth Universities.
Both organisations are among the quartet which make up the duchess’ first patronages. Meghan will be at the National Theatre on Wednesday, January 30th 2019 when she will see its work in action as well as meeting those who keep things going behind the scenes. Among those the Duchess of Sussex will spend time with are the apprentices at the National Theatre.
The following day, Meghan will visit the Association of Commonwealth Universities where she will meet students and teachers from several of the 500 establishments that are part of the organisation’s network. It’s her first visit as patron. However, the Duchess of Sussex attended an ACU meeting at the end of 2018 where she discussed a range of issues including the role of higher education in addressing climate change. The organisation said, in a tweet, that it was looking forward to Meghan’s latest visit when it will ”showcase how the ACU is building a better world through higher education”.
Earlier this month, the Duchess of Sussex visited the other two organisations which make up her first royal patronages. Meghan spent time at the London hub of Smart Works which helps women back into work by offering support and a new outfit as they take on job interviews. The duchess had visited several times before her patronage was announced and revealed on this engagement that she’d donated a bag which one Smart Works client had turned down.
The Duchess of Sussex has also visited her other new patronage, animal welfare organisation, Mayhew, in January to see its work in looking after abandoned pets. During her time at Mayhew, Meghan grew rather attached to a dog called Minnie who, no doubt thanks to her royal supporter, found a new home and family to look after her within hours of the duchess’ visit.
It will be part of a busy week for Meghan as on Friday, February 1st, she is set to visit Bristol with her husband. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will spend time with charities looking after those in need in the city. Their itinerary also includes a stop at Empire Fighting Chance, which focuses on boxing as a way to tackle deprivation among young people, and a visit to the Bristol Old Vic theatre.
