Meghan Markle Is "Still Very Engaged" With Her Patronage at London's National Theatre
Some details in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's new arrangement—like if they'll be able to continue using their "Sussex Royal" brand—are still being ironed out. One thing that was made clear in a palace announcement last month, however, is that both Harry and Meghan will be keeping their patronages.
Royals take on patronages as a way of supporting organizations, in a sort of figurehead role. The Duchess had just acquired her first four—the National Theatre, the Association of Commonwealth Universities, Mayhew, and Smart Works—last year. Harry, of course, has had longer to take on these roles.
With the Duke and Duchess currently staying in Canada, royal watchers had wondered if they'd be able to continue to really put in the work with their patronages. But according to Rufus Norris, the artistic director of the National Theatre, they needn't have worried.
The Theatre's relationship with Meghan has remained unchanged, Norris told the Telegraph. "That is completely their business about how they [the Duke and Duchess] manage what is undoubtedly a very complicated situation for them," he said of their decision to step back. "From our perspective, I don’t think it's going to change anything."
Norris added, "She is still very engaged, the conversations are regular and ongoing, there are ideas we are exploring. There has been no indication at all from her that her engagement with us would be anything other than business as usual—she has proven to be a very engaged patron, and we look forward to working with her."
He went on to explain that Meghan was interesting in meaningfully engaging with the Theatre—not just keeping up appearances. "She has star reach, she understands the nature of what we’re trying to do. She has been interested in the learning work, the work in communities, the work around the country," Norris said. "She’s less interested in coming here and going to a string of press nights. It's a really in-depth engagement with the range of work we do."
As for what shape that engagement might take, a royal source told the Telegraph that plans were in the works for a "much more substantive project" to come.
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