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Meghan Markle speaks with Smart Works client before job interview: 'You seem incredibly confident and prepared'

Duchess first started working with charity in January 2019 

Chelsea Ritschel
New York
Wednesday 29 April 2020 17:06 BST
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Meghan Markle talks to Smart Works client before job interview

Meghan Markle has shown her continued dedication to supporting her patronages despite no longer being a working member of the royal family.

On Wednesday, Smart Works, an organisation that helps women find employment by providing them with professional attire and interview tips, shared a clip of the Duchess of Sussex speaking to a client before an internship interview via video call.

In the video, Meghan, who is currently living in Los Angeles with Prince Harry and their son Archie, tells the young woman: “You seem incredibly confident and prepared and I know everyone here is so excited,” before asking her about her interest in mental health and psychology.

During the conversation, the duchess also praised the unnamed woman for being a “beacon of hope” during a time when there is “so much going on in the world right now”.

"I think you’re going to be fantastic," Meghan, who wore a maroon sweater and gold necklaces for the conversation, said, adding: "I just wanted to be able to call in and tell you best of luck, and my fingers are crossed for you."

“Thank you so much for making this whole thing possible through Smart Works and through you championing something like this to empower women, it’s just, it’s amazing,” the Smart Works client said.

On Instagram, the charity shared the video along with a message from Meghan, in which she praised the organisation for its work over the years, as well as its recent ability to adapt amid the pandemic.

“It’s been such an honour to meet and learn from so many talented women in the Smart Works network over the years, and recently to see the amazing work they’re doing to adapt their programmes to the reality of this pandemic,” the duchess said. “Their ability to continue to empower women and help them harness the confidence they need to succeed during this time is inspiring.”

Meghan also expressed the pride she feels being able to support the charity, telling the organisation: “I’ve been really proud to be able to be their patron, but it’s an easy yes when you have such incredible women helping you.”

According to Smart Works, which moved to a virtual service six weeks ago, it has been able to deliver 200 hours of support to its clients.

Meghan first became involved in Smart Works in January 2019, when Kensington Palace announced it was one of four patronages the duchess would be supporting.

In September of the same year, the 38-year-old launched a five-piece capsule collection of workwear with the charity.

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