Meghan Markle Steps Down From Position After Loss Of A Close Friend
Lifestyle - News
By KALI BOROVIC
and NOHA ABUHADRA
Meghan Markle's departure from the royal family in 2020 has altered many parts of her life, including her charitable activities in the United Kingdom. The National Theatre, the Association of Commonwealth Universities, Mayhew, and Smart Works were the four charities chosen by Markle to share the funds of her royal patronage.
Her contributions to Mayhew, an animal welfare charity, formally ended on April 6, 2022, with Mayhew expressing gratitude and saying it was an “incredible privilege” to work with her. "Though my time as patron of Mayhew has come to a close, my unwavering support has not,” Markle said, expressing her sorrow at stepping down from the role.
Markle's departure from the animal charity comes at a tough moment for her, as her close friend Oli Juste died unexpectedly in January 2022. Juste, an animal behaviorist, had introduced Markle to Mayhew, with Meghan claiming that Juste's enthusiasm for animal welfare prompted her to collaborate with Mayhew as part of her royal patronage.