I’m old enough to remember when then-Kate Middleton married Prince William and people swore up and down that Kate would “hit the ground running.” They promised that for like three years before that talking point was retired, giving way to “promising to eventually be keen.” Here we are, twelve years later, and Kate is still a lazy ass who refuses to do anything. In retrospect, I think Kensington Palace convinced the Duchess of Sussex (circa 2018) that she couldn’t actually hit the ground running, nor could she be seen working harder than Kate. One of the first patronages Meghan signed up for was Smart Works, the charity which provides clothes and training to women entering or reentering the job market. This was not a “royal patronage” in the sense that the Crown “gave” it to Meghan. Meaning, when Meghan exited the UK, Smart Works was not “taken away from her,” nor does the Crown have any say in Meghan’s continued work with the charity. So, for Smart Works’ tenth anniversary, their royal patron gave them an exclusive statement of support. From Smart Works’ IG:
As part of our tenth anniversary celebrations, we are delighted to share a message from our patron, Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex, thanking the Smart Works community for everything they do to help unemployed women in need.
“Congratulations to the entire Smart Works community on 10 incredible years of transforming lives. For the last decade, you have made an indelible mark on women across the UK who have walked into your doors in need of more than just an outfit — they needed someone to believe in them. As I’ve said before, you provide much more than a handout, at Smart Works you provide a hand held.
Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand the unforgettable smile that comes across a woman’s face when she receives the Smart Works experience of care, inspiration, and empowerment. Something changes for her in that moment and sets her on a path she may never have thought possible.
At Smart Works, you are investing in the future of women, and as a result, the world. I am so grateful to all of you who make this work possible each and every day. Celebrating you from across the pond and wishing you another amazing decade!”
People Mag actually did a great job covering all of the work Meghan has done with Smart Works over the years, from the capsule collection in 2019, to making pandemic-era video-calls of support to women seeking jobs, to hand-written notes of support, and arranging Cuyana to donate 500 tote bags to Smart Works last year. Basically, Meghan still loves this patronage and she still supports them from afar in tangible ways. Basically, Meghan’s work with one patronage over the course of five years has made more impact than all of Kate’s haphazard, half-assed busywork for over a decade.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Backgrid, Instar and Cover Images.
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- North America Rights Only – London, UK -20190912- The Duchess of Sussex departs the launch of the Smart Works capsule collection. -PICTURED: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex -PHOTO by: INSTARimages.com Disclaimer: This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact INSTAR Images for licensing fee and rights information at sales@instarimages.com or call +1 212 414 0207. This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. INSTAR Images reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded For images containing underage children: Be advised that some Countries may have restricted privacy laws against publishing images of underage children. Inform yourself! Underage children may need to be removed or have their face pixelated before publishing
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- ** RIGHTS: ONLY UNITED STATES, BRAZIL, CANADA ** London, UNITED KINGDOM – Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, launches the Smart Works capsule collection, in support of Smart Works, at John Lewis, Oxford Street, London, UK. Pictured: Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex BACKGRID USA 12 SEPTEMBER 2019 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- ** RIGHTS: ONLY UNITED STATES, BRAZIL, CANADA ** London, UNITED KINGDOM – Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, launches the Smart Works capsule collection, in support of Smart Works, at John Lewis, Oxford Street, London, UK. Pictured: Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex BACKGRID USA 12 SEPTEMBER 2019 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- USA Rights Only – London, UK -20190110-Meghan Duchess of Sussex during her visit to Smart Works, in London, on the day that she has become their patron, as well as patron of the National Theatre, the Association of Commonwealth Universities, and the animal welfare charity, Mayhew. -PICTURED: Meghan Duchess of Sussex -PHOTO by: PA Images/INSTARimages.com -40549265.jpg This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact Instar Images LLC for licensing fee and rights information at sales@instarimages.com or call +1 212 414 0207 This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. Instar Images LLC reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded Featuring: Meghan Duchess of Sussex Where: London, England, United Kingdom When: 10 Jan 2019 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages.com **USA Rights Only**
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- USA Rights Only – London, UK -20190912-The Duchess of Sussex departs after launching the Smart Works capsule collection at John Lewis in Oxford Street, London. PA Photo. Picture date: Thursday September 12, 2019. The series of outfits that can be worn in the workplace have been created in aid of Smart Works, a charity which provides training and interview clothes to unemployed women in need, and has Meghan as its royal patron -PICTURED: Meghan Duchess of Sussex -PHOTO by: Dominic Lipinski/PA Images/INSTARimages.com -45211137.jpg This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact Instar Images LLC for licensing fee and rights information at sales@instarimages.com or call +1 212 414 0207 This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. Instar Images LLC reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded Featuring: Meghan Duchess of Sussex Where: London, England, United Kingdom When: 12 Sep 2019 Credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA Images/INSTARimages.com **USA Rights Only**
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- Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, smiles during her visit at Smart Works charity in West London, Britain, January 10, 2019.
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- Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, chats with Patsy Wardally, during her visit at Smart Works charity in West London, Britain, January 10, 2019.
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- Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, smiles during her visit at Smart Works charity in West London, Britain, January 10, 2019.
Meg understands work and how it’s done and what good it can do!! Can’t avoids work because all she knows is a new outfit and wig and someone will take her picture and she thinks that is work. Copying Megs fashion choices and hairstyles is not getting it done for you Can’t you actually have to DO THE WORK!! So if you want to copy something copy Megs work ethic. I won’t hold my breath.
Exactly! This is the one thing about Meghan that Kate does not copy! Incredible.
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry at your comment, Lorelei. You and Susan are totally right: The WORK ethic is what K should be copying. And Kan’t.
I love how Meghan’s kept Smart Works and Mayhew and how she’ll pop up in their Instagram or in a video and bring the focus on her charities. That 10-year anniversary statement is wonderful. And it explains exactly what Smart Works does and how they help women get back to work. Well done!
Meghan already has a legacy of pertinent work that she has done and is recognized for. Kate for all these years? What work is she known for? Still nada. It’s pathetic to have such a grand platform and not be able to use it in a grand way to help the world. Even worst because she is so close to what Diana symbolizes. At least try man.
Your last sentence is the absolute truth. Just one of Meghan’s charities out does all of Lazy Loser Kate’s. I follow Smart Works and the impact they have is incredible.
Meghan always makes a point of recognizing the real work and support others do for their communities. She doesn’t wait to be given a cause or even a platform to help others. That is why she continues to always align with likeminded people and charities. Impressed and proud of women who support other women, and by doing so, their communities.
When Meghan said she wanted to hit the ground running and that she couldn’t wait to start working after the wedding, she offended a lot of royalists, Kate and the staff at KP. They felt she was showing up Kate and I think it set in train Kate’s and KP’s efforts to frustrate, demean and ostracise her. It’s too bad she wasn’t allowed to do more when she was in the UK because she could have done a lot of good things. I’m happy Meghan still supports Smart Works but I suspect at some time in the future she will give up the patronage just because she’s not in the UK anymore. I’m sure she will continue to support them if she stops being the Patron because she believes they are doing good work.
I think Meghan being Meghan set that jealous lump Kate off. Unless Meghan hid in a closet for 2-3 years it would have ended this way regardless. Kate was jealous of Meghan marrying Harry, jealous of Meghan being well spoken, jealous of Meghan being well dressed and on and on. Meghan being competent and hard working was just the final straw. I hope she doesn’t have to give up Smart Works but I guess of the current crop of candidates, I could see Sophie being the best, I’m guessing she would be most familiar with job hunting.
Meghan doesn’t ever have to give up Smart Works because it is not a “royal patronage’ just like Harry doesn’t have to give up WellChild because it’s not a “royal patronage.” They both had to up those patronages such as the National Theatre and Commonwealth youth ambassadorshps. I think it’s the only charity Meghan has in the UK. It was sad she gave up Mayhew, though. There seems to have been an agreement that her patronage was for a set term. Meghan and Harry are the true exemplars of the “fewer patronages and more in depth work
model. I don’t think Kate and William knows what that means, but they pay lip service to it. They might as well slap their names on hundreds of patronages that the Queen and Philip had and it would make no difference to the amount of support they actually give charities. They don’t get beyond lip service. But I don’t think more than that was expected of royals in the past.
Smart Works is not a royal patronage. So it’s not a matter of it being taken on by another royal. Meghan just liked their work and asked about being a Patron. If she gives up the patronage, it will be like what happened when she gave up the Mayhew patronage.
I remember the story of Meghan researching tons of charities and sending suggestions to the KP team, only to face multiple excuses for why they won’t work and how it might infringe upon so-and-so’s cause. And of course, the story of the 5am emails that somehow made her look bad for doing her research. At some point very early on, she realized she had to go rogue and I’m so glad she did. There are charities like SmartWorks everywhere and they all deserve to have this kind of support.
Meghan did such good work with the Smart Works team. She really lent her time to help the women who benefited from a wonderful charity. I’ve loved her Gianvito Rossi “Plexi” shoes since I first saw them and still covet them.
I just Want to say what a fantastic hair day Meghan was having in the pics with the black pants and white button down shirt
“A hand held.”
That’s really lovely.
Meghan did such cool things when she was in the UK. She had them shook from the start.
Never forget the successful cookbook project and launch for “Togerther-Our Community Cookbook” with the women from the Hubb Community Kitchen. Everyone seems to forget that incredible success story. A great cookbook, too.
When I think of all of Meghan’s successful projects I just think of what could’ve been. I would have loved to see what see could have done with Mayhew and the theater. Or the folks up in person with Smartworks and the community kitchen. Her still living there would have produced more opportunities for them to create more tangible projects. It is a shame honestly. Maybe some day we can see another project with Smartworks like before.
Meghan is a true supporter of other women. She doesn’t see other women as competition, but as friends and fellow members of the sisterhood to be lifted up and supported. Her support of Smart Works is infused with her generosity and feminism.
Kate is far too insecure to view other women in this same way.
This is what REAL PATRONAGE AND SUPPORT LOOKS LIKE KATE, not jazz hands, not “I’m still learning”, it’s getting of your lazy arse and DOING. Megan is still supporting and helping “Smart Works” 10 years down the line and an ocean away, you can’t even do it in a 50 mile radius! How the Palace must hate the fact that Megan is still getting plaudits for her work in the UK, and the Royals are doing “pictures” just pictures
So, Meghan is still supporting Smart Works as they celebrate making it 10 years down the line while it took Kate 10 years+ to finally do some work. Here’s Meghan in the first picture working while pregnant while Kate used her pregnancies to abstain from work. They really did have nothing in common, didn’t they?
This may be the conspiracy theorist in me coming out, but is part of the reason that Meghan’s patronage of SmartWorks is intolerable to the royal family is because of their self-centered elitism? The royal family has prospered by keeping their British subjects from achieving financial success and/or wealth. Meghan is creating opportunities for women of lesser means to move up the financial ladder and that scares them. Also it’s just so American of her! People can work hard and become successful and financially independent? The horror!
I think your comment is a little unfair. A lot of Brits, myself included, do a lot to support women and give people from all walks of life opportunities. I run a business and employ close to 1,000 people. Whenever I can I promote internally – people without the best CV but with the loyalty and understanding of what we do as a company. I am ashamed of the RF but please don’t lump all Brits in the same mould.
I keep trying to reply, but am having issues (hence my variation on my user name). I am so sorry if I have offended you, that was not what my poorly worded comment was about. I was referring to the thought processes of the archaic colonialists of the BRF only. I can see them (the Royals) thinking that MM was horrible for supporting a charity on her own that helps people to succeed (not just give them handouts) because they (the Royal Family) view their subjects as less than. I never intended to imply or state that non-Royal Brits believe that. I will try to word my comments more clearly from now on. And kudos to you for your successful business and your efforts to help others achieve, that’s what is wonderful about humanity.
I can’t help it but I keep thinking about how the British media claimed that the capsule collection was only successful because of Kate. It was so bizarre and disturbing.
How?
It was pretty convoluted, so I don’t remember how they managed it, but yeah, someone wrote that Meghan owed the success of that to Kate.
Oh, my God, the posture. And during pregnancy, no less. I’m impressed. Okay, now that I’ve got that out of my system, I must say that this shows a great commitment to her charities and her projects, even in a country that didn’t treat her very well. Imagine her thinking about them and knowing their history, and still wanting to encourage and acknowledge their work. This speaks of her having a very good working relationship with Smart Works too.
Posture goals, for sure!