Meghan Markle stuns at Smart Works charity appearance - NEWS.com.au

The Duchess of Sussex stepped out in London overnight, visiting one of the four British charities she was announced as patron of hours earlier.

Meghan arrived at Smart Works HQ in west London for her first official visit as patron of the charity, the 37-year-old looking effortlessly chic as she showed off her growing bump in a figure-hugging black midi dress by Hatch and a camel Oscar de la Renta coat.

She paired the $300 dress with a camel-coloured cotton twill coat by Oscar de la Renta — worth $4400 — and accessorised with earrings by Kimai.

Founded in 2013, Smart Works helps unemployed and vulnerable women regain the skills and confidence for job interviews and returning to employment.

This includes providing clothes for job interviews, offering one-to-one interview training and providing the opportunity to join the Smart Works network, where women can meet every month to discuss their progress.

Meghan has visited the organisation a number of times over the last 12 months, helping several women transform their lives and today, Meghan was announced as patron of the charity.

Thanks to the incredible work of the organisation, two thirds of women involved go on to get a job.

The Duchess was also named as patron of three other organisations: The National Theatre and The Association of Commonwealth Universities (both passed on by the Queen) as well as Mayhew — an animal welfare charity working to improve the lives of dogs, cats and people in London and across the globe.

Royal patronages bring invaluable publicity and fundraising opportunities to charities and community organisations, and the 92-year-old Queen is gradually handing some of hers to other members of the royal family as she ages.

“The Duchess is delighted to become Patron of both national and grassroots organisations that are part of the fabric of the UK, and is very much looking forward to working with them to bring wider public attention to their causes,’’ Kensington Palace said in a statement.

“Her Royal Highness feels she can use her position to focus attention on, and make a particular difference to these organisations and, more widely, the sectors they each represent.

“The Duchess of Sussex is very much looking forward to working closely with these organisations, and her continued work with The Royal Foundation of which she is joint Patron along with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (Prince William and wife Catherine) and the Duke of Sussex (her husband Prince Harry).’’

This article originally appeared on The Sun and has been republished with permission.

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