Earlier this week, Kensington Palace announced that Meghan Markle has partnered with women who survived the Grenfell fire to release a cookbook in support of the Hub Community Kitchen. She helped come up with the idea and wrote the forward for Together: Our Community Cookbook. It is, as she said, her “first project”. Today was the launch event, at Kensington Palace. Royal Meghan was joined by Prince Harry and also her ma, Doria Ragland. It’s the first time they’ve all been together in public since the wedding in May.
VIDEO: Meghan’s mum Doria and Prince Harry let the Duchess of Sussex take the lead as she introduced them to the women she met from the #hubbcommunitykitchen near #GrenfellTower pic.twitter.com/zEjXC4DbCC
— Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) September 20, 2018
Meghan (in a @Smythson coat and @mishanonoo skirt) helping one of the Hubb women serve a dish of green rice while Doria and Harry chat. #CookTogether pic.twitter.com/K24dhVqDCY
— Omid Scobie (@scobie) September 20, 2018
Royal Meghan spoke for three minutes, welcoming guests to the lunch, sharing with them why this project means so much to her, highlighting the diversity of the participants and the spirit of inclusion and togetherness that can make change and bring people closer. Her remarks lasted three minutes, and she delivered them extemporaneously, without notes. She comes across warm and uncontrived. As I mentioned the other day, this has been an asset for her. Royal remarks are usually stiff and scripted. They aren’t comfortable off the cuff. Meghan, however, as we know, is an excellent public speaker. She is comfortable in public. And this skill will serve her well as she represents the family business.
More of the speech The Duchess of Sussex about the #Grenfell cookbook. ‘It’s been a tremendous labour of love’ she said.
— Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) September 20, 2018
Prince Harry looked on - proudly... pic.twitter.com/0h8SnPeta9
Meghan speak for 3 mins without notes as she thanks the women of #hubbcommunitykitchen for ‘her first project’ pic.twitter.com/wismMJDg9W
— Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) September 20, 2018
If you wanted an image which best describes how Meghan, Duchess of Sussex is changing the face of the British Royal Family, I say this one does it ... pic.twitter.com/dQRLsPOO2i
— Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) September 20, 2018
This, then, is a great example of why Harry talked, when they got engaged and after their wedding, about how much he was looking forward to working with Meghan side by side, because as we’ve seen, she’s as good at the job as he is – and particularly what’s required of the job in these times. Check him out. He looks proud of her and very pleased with himself.