Meghan Markle made a private visit to the National Theatre in London on Thursday, March 5, just hours before her joint royal engagement with Prince Harry at the Endeavour Fund Awards. The Duchess of Sussex is apparently keeping this royal patronage even as she and her husband won't be working royals by April.
According to reports, Meghan went to the theater to see the Immersive Storytelling Studio. The Duchess of Sussex was treated to a demonstration of how technology and virtual reality are delivering new ways to tell a story. Meghan was also pictured next to a hologram of jazz artist Nubiya Brandon.
Meghan inherited the patronage of the National Theatre from Queen Elizabeth in 2019. Earlier, there were speculations that she will be axed from the position as questions have emerged over how she can continue working with the theater community if she is in Canada.
According to The Sun, theater honchos were apparently angry at the Duchess of Sussex for stepping down as a working royal. She also visited the National Theatre in January, just hours after Prince Harry announced their controversial decision, and apparently went on with business as normal.
The National Theatre artistic director Rufus Norris, however, said that their working relationship with Meghan will continue despite her royal exit. In an interview with The Telegraph, Norris said that nothing will change with their arrangement with the duchess, as far as he knows.
Norris also said that they have had ongoing conversations with Meghan on new ideas. Since leaving to stay in Canada, the Duchess of Sussex did not give any indication that she's dropping the patronage as she remains a "very engaged patron" while overseas.
Meanwhile, as Meghan had her own thing, Prince Harry also went to his solo engagement at the unveiling of the Silverstone Experience, a new museum highlighting British motor racing. The Duke of Sussex arrived at the venue with his driver, Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton. Together, they toured and viewed the exhibits alongside other F1 drivers George Russell and Alexander Albon.
On Sunday, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be at another joint royal engagement for the Mountbatten Festival of Music, On Monday, the couple will join the royal family at Westminster Abbey for the Commonwealth Day service. Prince Harry and Meghan will be publicly reunited with Prince William, Kate Middleton and Prince Charles, as well as Queen Elizabeth.
