On Thanksgiving, Meghan Markle assisted in the preparation of a meal for more than 300 homeless people in Los Angeles.
According to a statement on the Archewell Foundation website, Markle and Prince Harry’s non-profit organization collaborated with the Downtown Women’s Center (DWC) ahead of the Thursday holiday to pack lunches for the shelter’s residents.
According to the post, DWC provides resources to “decrease barriers and end homelessness for all women,” including female veterans, women with severe physical and mental health concerns, and survivors of domestic violence.
Markle was seen slicing pumpkin pie and putting the pieces in to-go containers in a photo posted alongside the message. She was dressed casually in a sweatshirt and baseball cap, and she was wearing a mask and an apron while preparing desserts with another volunteer.
Following the Thanksgiving event, Markle collaborated with the accessories brand Cuyana for a Giving Tuesday event in partnership with the U.K. charity Smart Works, of which she is a patron. The company announced a donation of 500 totes to the organization, which assists women who are looking for work.
Cuyana said in a statement via Instagram:
“Ahead of Giving Tuesday, Cuyana is partnering with UK-based charity Smart Works and their Patron, Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex for a women’s empowerment initiative. Cuyana is proud to be donating 500 of their Classic Structured Totes to the charity, which exists to inspire and empower women who need help getting into work.”
Markle addressed the donation in a statement posted Monday on the brand’s Instagram Story.
The duchess said:
“Smart Works invests in women so they know they can thrive in any workplace and Cuyana is a company that is by women and for women, so this feels like the perfect fit.”
Smart Works has nine centers across the United Kingdom and has helped 25,000 women since its inception in 2013.
Like their previous two trips to the United States, Markle and Prince Harry are expected to spend this year’s Thanksgiving at their Montecito, California, mansion.
When she appeared on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” last year, the Duchess of Sussex revealed their holiday plans.
The former actress said at the time:
“I love to cook. We’ll be home and just sort of relax and settle in. It’s our second Thanksgiving at home in California. It’ll be nice, it’ll be really nice.”
Markle also discussed moving to their new home during the 2020 lockdown. They were able to spend a lot of time at home, according to the duchess, and were “just happy.”
She added:
“I think it’s just the lifestyle and the weather is pretty great.”
The couple and their son Archie celebrated their first Thanksgiving in their California home in 2020, months after they stepped down from royal duties and left the United Kingdom.
A tipster close to the Sussexes told Elle at the time:
“They are going to have a quiet dinner at home and are looking forward to celebrating their first American Thanksgiving in the States as a family. They plan to enjoy a home-cooked meal with traditional Thanksgiving dishes, including recipes made with fresh vegetables from their garden.”
Lilibet, Prince Harry and Meghan’s 1-year-old daughter, was born in June 2021.