Duchess of Sussex backs women, animals, arts in first charity patronages

They are the first patronages taken on by Meghan, who is expecting her first child with Prince Harry in the spring.

Two of the patronages -- for the National Theatre and the Association of Commonwealth Universities -- have been passed on to the duchess by Harry's grandmother Queen Elizabeth II, who has held them for 45 and 33 years respectively.

The other two are for Smart Works, which helps long-term unemployed and vulnerable women succeed in job interviews and find work, and Mayhew, a grassroots charity supporting animal welfare both in London and internationally.

The duchess will visit Smart Works later Thursday and is expected to call on the other three charities over the coming weeks, the palace said in a statement.

She has held meetings and visited all four organizations over the past year, the palace said.

The former actress' support for the National Theatre reflects her belief in using the arts to bring communities together and her own background in theater and television, the palace said.

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