Meghan Markle is set to visit her namesake county for the very first time. The Duchess of Sussex, along with her husband the Duke (or, as we’ll forever fondly refer to him, Prince Harry) will make an official trip to Sussex next week.
The news was announced on Kensington Palace’s official Twitter account today, in a statement confirming that “the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will make their first official visit to Sussex on October 3rd.”
“In West Sussex they will see the historic Sussex Declaration and open Chichester University Tech Park. In East Sussex they will visit the Royal Pavilion, Survivors Network and Peacehaven Youth Centre,” it continued. Survivors Network is a charity that aims to support survivors of sexual violence and abuse.
The Sussex Declaration, meanwhile, has a link to Meghan’s American roots – and even to the couple’s favourite musical, Hamilton.
Discovered in an records office in Sussex in 2015, it was confirmed to be the second known parchment manuscript of the American Declaration of Independence last year. The Declaration severed the relationship between Britain and the 13 American colonies, and was signed following the war of independence, which is touched upon in the first act of Hamilton.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at a Hamilton performance late last month.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex officially received their royal titles from the Queen as a gift on the morning of their wedding.
Sussex had long been considered the most likely dukedom for Prince Harry to take: only a limited number of royal titles are available at any one time, and Sussex was first rumoured for Prince William back in 2011 (who, of course, was eventually offered Cambridge instead).
It seems next week will be a busy one for the royals: the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, will return from five months of maternity leave, on 2nd October with a trip to Sayers Croft Forest School and Wildlife Garden at Paddington Recreation Ground.
Via our sister site Grazia.
