The Queen is set to hand Meghan Markle her first royal patronages before the Duchess goes on maternity leave
The Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle 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 is 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.
This news comes shortly after the Queen handed many patronages to Prince Harry. The Queen also handed over her association with more than 20 organizations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Prince William and Kate Middleton in December 2016.
As reported by DailyMail, Prince Harry was made a patron of the Rugby Football Union and the Rugby Football League. Kate Middleton took on the role of patron of the All England Lawn Tennis Club. The Duke of Cambridge Prince William was made a patron of the Football Association. The Duchess of Cornwall was made a patron of Battersea Dogs Home and Barnardo's.
It was when Meghan met with artistic director Rufus Norris of the National Theatre that rumors of her receiving her first patronage arose. This role allows members of the royal family to do important publicity work for charities. It is also a way for the royal family members to give their time to a worthy cause.
At present, more than 3,000 charities have a member of the royal family as a patron which include the likes of Welsh Rugby Union and Save the Children UK. At the end of the year 2016, the Buckingham Palace announced that the Queen would be stepping down from around 25 organizations from the 600 that she was a patron of.
These charities include the likes of Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, the Royal Institution of Great Britain, the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Battersea Dogs Home and Barnardo's.