During a visit to a Bristol charity with her husband Prinve Harry, Duchess Meghan wrote messages of empowerment and support on bananas that were to be delivered to sex workers.
The charity, One25, works to help and support women break free from street sex work, addiction and other life-controlling issues, through practical and emotional support.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex had been observing and helping volunteers pack food parcels and warm clothes for the vulnerable women when the Meghan suddenly asked if she could have a Sharpie to write messages on the bananas.
The Duchess wrote uplifting messages on bananas that were to be delivered to street sex workers in Bristol. (Source: Getty)
In a post on the Kensington Royal Instagram page, it explained Meghan “learned of this idea from an act of kindness by a school cafeteria worker in the US who wrote messages for children.”
“A simple gesture and a way to incorporate positivity and kindness for those needing a self-esteem boost.”
The heartfelt messages included, “you are strong”, “you are brave”, “you are loved”, “you are special”, with the Duchess signing off each message with a heart.
The CEO of One25 Anne Smith told BAZAAR.com it was an unforgettable moment.
“That really touched me – and I’m not even a royalist.
“She was just watching the food being packed up and suddenly decided she wanted to write these beautiful messages on every banana they had there.
“She had clearly listened and heard what we are all about – that we don’t judge, we simply offer the service and unconditional love,” Anne continued.
“She totally got it.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex speak with with staff and volunteers inside the charity outreach van during a visit to One25. (Source: Getty)
A source reportedly close to the couple told BAZAAR.com that Harry and Meghan personally chose to visit One25 from a list of Bristol charities.
“Both were very keen to shine a light on something that not everyone is willing to talk about openly,” the source said.
“They wanted their visit to help remove the stigma.”
And it seems that the royal couple’s visit has already started to make an impact – following news that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had visited the charity, phone lines were ringing off the hook and donations already pouring in via their website.
During their visit to Bristol, Harry and Meghan also stopped in to Empire Fighting Chance, a charity which aims to fight the impact of deprivation on young people’s lives through boxing.
While the couple were talking to volunteers and children who had benefited from the charity’s work, Prince Harry met 15-year-old Lestyn, who became emotional while talking about the loss of his father.
Prince Harry, who lost his own mother Princess Diana when he was just 12, asked to talk privately with the young boy, telling him “the same thing happened to me.”
The royal couple, who are expecting their first child in the British spring, concluded their day of engagements in Bristol with a visit to Bristol Old Vic, the oldest continuously working theatre in the English-speaking world, which has recently been refurbished.
Harry and Meghan talk with Lestyn and Sarah, who have benefited from the work that Empire Fighting Chance do. (Source: Getty)
Meghan and Harry stop to talk to pre-school children during their public walkabout at Bristol Old Vic. (Source: Getty)
The Telegraph reports Meghan made a heartfelt plea for the creative arts saying, “Channeling the energy you have into the creative arts and theatre and all of that is equally as important.”
“Sport isn’t for everyone, just as theatre isn’t for everyone.
“You can know that there’s a place [here] where you can find community, and sort of explore self-discovery and other things you might be thinking about.”
