The Duchess of Sussex has taken to Instagram to share five never-before-seen photographs taken while she was pregnant with Archie.
The photographs, which show her undertaking visits to one of her royal patronages Smart Works, accompany a post announcing her workwear clothing collection that is due to launch in the British autumn, which will also benefit the charity.
In one image the Duchess is seen cradling her baby bump in a figure-hugging tweed Gucci dress, while others show her chatting – no doubt discussing the exciting new project – and helping to style some of the women who benefit from the work the charity does.
The photographs were taken during “quiet” visits Meghan made to Smart Works over the past year. (Image: Instagram / @SussexRoyal)
“After quiet visits to Smart Works over the last year, The Duchess was moved by the impactful work being done by this non profit organisation that helps women into the workforce, equipping them with both the skills and clothes they need to feel job-ready,” reads the Instagram caption.
“Throughout her visits she noticed that while the donations were plentiful, they were also notably a combination of mismatched items and colours which weren’t always the right stylistic choices or sizes that necessarily “suit” the job at hand: to make women feel confident and inspired as she walked into her job interview.”
The capsule collection will include “key workwear essentials” and will follow the 1:1 model, where an item purchased will be one shared with a woman of Smart Works.
The collaboration, which sees Meghan work with British department stores Marks & Spencer and John Lewis, clothing label Jigsaw and designer Misha Nonoo, was first announced in the September issue of British Vogue, which Duchess Meghan has helped to guest edit.
The capsule collection will feature “key workwear essentials” and will follow a 1:1 model. (Image: Instagram/ @SussexRoyal)
Writing about the partnership in the latest issue Meghan said her vision for the initiative was about “[reframing] the idea of charity as community,” adding, “not only does this allow us to be part of each other’s story; it reminds us we are in it together.”
Meghan was appointed as the first ever royal patron of Smart Works in January, alongside three other appointments which were chosen to “reflect the causes and issue with which she has long been associated with including the arts, access to education, support for women and animal welfare,” explained a statement by Kensington Palace at the time.
Meghan’s vision for the initiative is to help reframe the idea of charity as community. (Image: Instagram/ @SussexRoyal)
After her visit to the charity earlier this year Smart Works interview coach Marina Novis had plenty of positive things to say about the Duchess.
“She has done so much research. That’s what I’m so impressed by,” Marina told Hello! at the time.
“It’s not just an honourary thing, she really cares. She’s amazing at talking with the candidates because she really listens and asks pertinent questions.
Following her first visit to Smart Works Meghan was described as the perfect fit as royal patron for the charity. (Image: Instagram/ @SussexRoyal)
The announcement of the collection follows the news that the Duchess of Sussex has become the first ever guest editor of British Vogue‘s September issue – one of the most highly anticipated issues of the year.
The issue, which the Duchess has worked on for the past seven months alongside the editor-in-chief Edward Enninful, features story penned by ‘trailblazing’ women – 15 of which feature on the cover – along with a Q&A between Meghan and former US First Lady Michelle Obama, along with features on “grassroots organisations and incredible trailblazers working tirelessly behind the scenes to change the world for the better.”
