Meghan Markle ‘didn’t have crown on’ during first engagement in Canada
MEGHAN MARKLE’s first engagement since announcing her intention to step back as senior royal alongside Prince Harry was set up with a day’s notice - but the Duchess of Sussex managed nevertheless to make a great first impression.
Meghan Markle 'lets the camera tell a story' says expert
Meghan’s aide organised the visit at the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre, a women’s shelter in a rundown neighbourhood in Vancouver Island, in less than 24 hours, the acting executive director of the organisation, Kate Gibson, said. But, despite the haste, Meghan made a great first impression on Ms Gibson, who “would recommend” the Duchess.
Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Ms Gibson recalled how the meeting was put together.
She said: “This came about because I got an email on Monday, as it turns out from the Duchess’s assistant, saying she had someone to visit.
“I didn’t know who she was, so anyway I got back in touch and said, ‘I’m not sure what this is about, so probably give me a call.’
“So then she called me, and obviously it’s all confidential, and then they came to visit on Tuesday at around one.”
The shelter’s director added that Meghan spent plenty of time with her and members of the staff working on the frontline.
She said: “They stayed for more than an hour.
“She’s just a normal person, I thought. I really liked her.
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“She met with some of our staff in our office and she’s open and interested and interesting.”
Ms Gibson said the conversation with Meghan was “great”, as the Duchess had questions and a genuine interest in their work.
Moreover, the director added, Meghan “didn’t have her crown on”, but spoke with the staff being “like anyone”.
She added: “She didn’t have her crown on. She was just a person we had a conversation with.
“She looks like she wakes up in the morning and she’s able to dress herself and comb her own hair. Totally.
“She was lovely. But it wasn’t all syrupy. It wasn’t like, ‘ooh, let’s pat your back.’
“It was great. It was a conversation, and that’s what she wanted to have - a conversation.”
The shelter was founded in 1978 and has ever since offered shelter, hot meals and support for struggling women.
On the same day, Meghan also visited another charity, Justice for Girls, working to promote rights of girls who live in poverty.
In a tweet, the charity said Meghan discussed about “climate justice for girls and the rights of Indigenous people.”
Meghan returned to Canada after having spent a few days in the UK, during which she visited Canada House to thank the High Commissioner to the UK for the country’s warmth and hospitality.
During the brief stay in England, Meghan also privately visited some of the associations she supports, including the Hubb Community Kitchen in West London.
And on Wednesday afternoon, Meghan and Harry released a statement announcing their intention to step down as senior royals.
According to their plans, the Sussexes want to retain their title but no longer work full times as royals.
This would allow them to work on private interests, live between North America and the UK and become financially independent.