Frozen Meghan Markle and Prince Harry visit Bristol - NEWS.com.au

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has shown her support for female sex workers as she and Prince Harry visited a charity supporting the women in Bristol.

The royal couple were visiting One25, a charity helping female sex workers, when the duchess went off script.

“Oh actually do you have a Sharpie marker? I have an idea,” Meghan said. ‘I saw this project this woman had started somewhere in the States on a school lunch program. On each of the bananas she wrote an affirmation, to make the kids feel really, like, empowered. It was the most incredible idea – this small gesture.”

The duchess wrote messages on the bananas like “You are strong”, “You are loved”, “You are brave”, “You are special”.

A volunteer named Sam (not her real name) said the women would appreciate the gesture.

“I think they might not eat it. I think that banana would be at home until it is rotten. Because I would do the same,” she said. “It sounds really cheesy, but little things like that when you are out, especially tonight with the weather - just to get that little thing (means the world). Meghan took her time out to write that one.”

“It is amazing that they chose to come here. It is heartwarming, and makes you think that these women are not forgotten and not cared about,” Sam said.

Earlier, Prince Harry and his wife gushed over cute schoolkids as they braved snow in a visit to Bristol.

The Sun reports that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex rugged up as they arrived in the Westcountry — beaming as dedicated fans greeted them enthusiastically despite the bitter temperatures.

Pregnant Meghan, 37, looked glamorous in an Oscar de la Renta dress and William Vintage coat paired with practical calf-length boots, reportedly by Sarah Flint, as she chatted to eager fans.

Shaking hands with fans, she said: “Sorry my hands are cold”.

As snow fell, she told locals: “I hope everyone has a nice cup of tea after this.”

And the future mum made sure to single out the kids who had waited patiently for the chance to see her and Prince Harry, 34.

She told them: “You must be so cold”, adding: “Thanks for staying out here, it’s so chilly today.”

Meghan, who wore her hair down and forwent gloves in the cold, even called Prince Harry over to meet the nursery children in Bristol after they asked where her husband was.

And she made excuses for the couple’s late arrival, saying their train had been delayed.

Prince Harry also seemed keen to chat to the kids and their teachers — joking: “How do you keep control of them?”

And he cheekily told the kids: “You know you guys can run wherever you like.”

The parents-to-be spent the day in Bristol where dozens of local schools shut because of the wintry weather.

It’s been a busy few weeks, particularly for 37-year-old Meghan, with today her third engagement in three days.

After being given her new patronages by the 92-year-old Queen at the start of the year, the former actress has visited each of the charities, as well as joining Prince Harry for two separate engagements.

The couple was taken on a guided tour of the revamped theatre, which has been entertaining audiences for more than 250 years.

The couple will also meet wellwishers on a walkabout and travel to Empire Fighting Chance, a charity using boxing to support children failing at school and in danger of drifting into a life of unemployment or even crime.

The Bristol Old Vic was built in 1766 and has a unique place in British theatre history, having nurtured the talents of countless famous actors from Daniel Day-Lewis and Greta Scacchi to Peter O’Toole and Jeremy Irons.

During the visit, the duke and duchess will drop in on a workshop attended by local schoolchildren, which is part of Bristol Old Vic’s outreach program.

At Empire Fighting Chance, the couple will meet young people using the gym, speak to coaches about the positive impact boxing is having on Bristol’s youngsters, and watch a couple of training sessions attended by primary and secondary school pupils.

The couple, who married in May last year, are also expecting to move to Frogmore Cottage ahead of their baby’s arrival.

The Duchess has managed to put speculation of a rift with sister-in-law Kate behind her after it dominated headlines last year.

Rumours had flowed that Meghan and Kate had been involved in a “row”, while sources claimed that she was difficult to work with.

This article originally appeared in The Sun and is republished here with permission

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