Meghan Markle shows off growing baby bump on her last royal engagement before Christmas
Meghan Markle is definitely gearing up for the holiday season and is now officially done with all her royal engagements for the year before the beginning of Christmas. The Duchess of Sussex carried out her last royal engagement at Royal Variety care home on December 18, ahead of the upcoming Christmas celebrations at the Palace.
Meghan met up with retired artists and entertainers, all of whom were being cared for at the Royal Variety Charity’s residential nursing home. The Duchess was welcomed at Brinsworth House, which is also fondly known as the Old Pro’s Paradise in Twickenham, south-west London, by the charity’s chairman, Giles Cooper.
Cooper said: “The timing of the visit is fantastic as it comes a few weeks after the Royal Variety performance which she attended with Prince Harry. And it comes after her wedding, which all the residents here were watching. We had the television on, Union Jack bunting up and a party atmosphere — so it’s nice to have the bride here.”
After getting a private briefing, Meghan met four residents of the care home who were sitting at tables in the dining room. She briefly chatted with famed actress Mona Hammond who played Blossom Jackson on EastEnders in the 1990s.
Some of the other famous artists who have been cared for at the residential home are Sir Norman Wisdom, Dame Thora Hird, and EastEnders actor Leslie Grantham. Given that the Duchess of Sussex was a former actress herself, Copper said that her acting career would help her connect better with the residents.
Meghan's latest royal engagement comes on the heels of the news that the Duchess is all set to receive her first royal patronages from the Queen in the new year before she goes on maternity leave. The Queen, who is currently 92-years-old, is looking to further reduce her workload.
It has been reported that discussions "are ongoing" as to what roles Meghan is going to be taking on. Royal sources believe that she could very well be handed causes which reflect her passion and interest in feminism and the arts. 37-year-old Meghan reportedly met the Queen at the Buckingham Palace recently with Prince Harry to talk about her potential roles.
The official announcement as to what her roles her will be made in February next year. Meghan will then be visiting each of the charities and organizations before going on maternity leave, the Sunday Times reported. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are currently expecting their first child together who is due in spring.
