Meghan Markle shares message of support for ‘remarkable’ UK women’s charity’s fundraising carol concert – days before Kate Middleton’s festive service

Meghan Markle has shared a festive message of support with a ‘remarkable’ charity in the UK.

The Duchess of Sussex, 43, contributed her heartwarming words to the programme of a fundraising carol concert for Smart Works – of which she has been a patron since 2019.

The organisation helps unemployed women with clothing and coaching to secure work.

The event was held at St Marylebone Parish Church in London on Tuesday, and Meghan wished attendees a Merry Christmas ‘from my family to yours’. 

According to an image of the programme shared by People magazine, Meghan said: ‘As proud patron, it is my pleasure to warmly welcome you all this evening to the Smart Works Carol Concert.

‘Tonight promises to be a truly magical celebration, filled with special guests and performers, and most importantly, the shared spirit of community that defines Smart Works.

‘Together we gather to honour the work and dedication of this remarkable organisation, which continues to empower women across the UK through coaching, dressing and instilling confidence on their journey to employment.

‘Thank you for giving your support by being here in St Marylebone Parish Church, under the beautiful haze of Christmas wreaths and candlelight.’

The Duchess of Sussex , 43, contributed her heartwarming words to the programme of a fundraising carol concert for Smart Works – of which she has been a patron since 2019. Pictured at a Smart Works event in 2019

Meghan’s remarks were shared in the programme for UK charity Smart Works’ carol service at St Marylebone Parish Church on Tuesday

She continued: ‘In a year where the landscape for women in the workplace has continued to shift, Smart Works has stood as a steadfast source of encouragement. Their service is more than rediscovering employment, it is rediscovering empowerment.

‘As Smart Works continues to uplift the community, I hope you will continue to support them. I hope you enjoy the festivities, and, from my family to yours, I wish you a very Merry Christmas.’

Other famous faces were involved in the service, with actress and comedian Jennifer Saunders doing a reading and X Factor winner Alexandra Burke performing Hallelujah.

After the service, Alexandra wrote on her Instagram story: ‘What a special night. Proud to be an ambassador for @smartworkscharity.’

Meghan’s words come just days before her sister-in-law, the Princess of Wales, will also be hosting a Christmas carol service. 

Kate Middleton will helm the Together At Christmas concert on December 6 with performances from Paloma Faith, Olivia Dean and Gregory Porter. 

She will  emphasise the importance of love in ‘our darkest of times’ in a deeply poignant letter to guests attending the event.

Guests include six-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy, who has terminal cancer, and Downton Abbey star Michelle Dockery, who lost her fiance to the illness.

The event was held at St Marylebone Parish Church in London on Tuesday, and Meghan wished attendees a Merry Christmas ‘from my family to yours’. Meghan pictured in October

The Duchess has visited the charity several times – both before and after being named as its royal patron – and has a long-standing commitment to supporting women’s empowerment. Pictured in 2019

Smart Works has a team of 300 trained volunteers based in two London offices as well as centres in Edinburgh , Manchester, Reading, Birmingham and Newcastle. Meghan visiting Smart Works in 2019

The Princess has also invited children who survived the horrific Southport stabbings in July.

Meghan was appointed as a patron of Smart Works in January 2019, back when she and Prince Harry were still residing in the UK – but since moving to the US, she has continued to support the organisation with a grant from her Archewell Foundation.

Smart Works has a team of 300 trained volunteers based in two London offices as well as centres in Edinburgh, Manchester, Reading, Birmingham and Newcastle. 

The Duchess has visited the charity several times – both before and after being named as its royal patron – and has a long-standing commitment to supporting women’s empowerment.

She launched a limited-edition clothing range to benefit the Smart Works charity in 2019. It featured a £19.50 dress from Marks & Spencer; a £109 John Lewis tote bag; a £120 shirt from Meghan’s designer friend Misha Nonoo; and a £199 jacket and £120 trousers, both from Jigsaw.

In 2022, Meghan announced a new partnership with the accessories brand Cuyana, which donated 500 tote bags to the charity.

It comes as her husband, Prince Harry last night revealed that he and wife have no plans to return to the United Kingdom with Archie and Lilibet. 

The Duke of Sussex, 40, opened up about his desire to stay in the United States at the annual DealBook Summit live in New York on Wednesday. 

Prince Harry on Wednesday revealed that he and wife Meghan Markle have zero plans to leave the US

The Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan relocated to California in 2020. Pictured this year in Nigeria 

It was there that the prince said security was a factor for his and Meghan’s decision to stay put for the time being – as well as their children’s future. 

The Sussexes have called Montecito, California home since the summer of 2020 – after they fled the UK and the Royal Family. 

The Times reported Prince Harry told the summit on Wednesday: ‘I very much enjoy living here and bringing up my kids here.’ 

The Duke added that there are also activities he can do with young Archie, five, and three-year-old Lilibet that he ‘undoubtedly wouldn’t be able to do in the UK’. 

Harry said he was focused on ‘being the best husband and the best dad that I can be’, too. 

Elsewhere today, it was revealed that Harry has secured the services of his neighbor Katy Perry to sing at the opening night of his Invictus Games, which will take place on February 8, 2025.

The Grammy nominated star will headline the opening of the event for disabled military veterans in Vancouver, Canada.

Katy is by far the biggest star to appear at the bi-annual event attended by Harry and his wife Meghan.

She and her partner actor, British actor Orlando Bloom, are close neighbors of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in Montecito, California.

The couple were among the guests invited to the third birthday party for Harry and Meghan’s daughter Lilibet at their mansion in the swanky Californian enclave favored by many A-list stars.

The Invictus Games will be the first major event Harry and Meghan have attended together after reports emerged they were going their separate ways in engagements.

Harry and Meghan, 43, stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and moved to the US in June that year.