Meghan Markle takes part in final solo royal engagement with Commonwealth scholars

Duke and Duchess of Sussex took part in final joint royal engagement at Monday’s Commonwealth Service

The Duchess of Sussex has undertaken her final solo royal engagement at Buckingham Palace, meeting with scholars from across the Commonwealth.

On Monday, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex took part in their last joint royal engagement when they attended the Commonwealth Service alongside other members of the royal family at Westminster Abbey.

Earlier that day, Meghan, who is patron of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), met with students to discuss how they are committed to facing global challenges.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have released two photographs taken by Chris Allerton from the meeting, in addition to a video on their official Instagram page.

In one of the photographs, which was released in black and white, Meghan is listening intently to a student as they are speaking to her.

In the second picture, the duchess is standing at the centre of a group shot, surrounded by 23 individuals.

In the caption posted on the Sussexes’ Instagram account, it stated that Meghan “met with the bright minds from across the Commonwealth to hear about their commitment to tackling the global challenges we all face”.

“The Duchess spoke with scholars studying and researching important areas surrounding: cleaning up plastic pollution in our oceans, helping to build more sustainable cities, improving health outcomes for citizens, and supporting decent work and economic growth,” it stated.

“Paving the way as the next generation of leaders, these inspirational scholars are spread far across the Commonwealth from Malawi to Malaysia, Ghana to Sri Lanka – all of whom will use the skills and knowledge they gain while studying in the UK to make a difference when they return to their home countries.”

The caption added that Meghan also attended university through a scholarship, and is thus “a strong advocate of accessible education for all”.

Photo by Chris Allerton/The Duke and Duchess of Sussex via Getty Images (Photo by Chris Allerton/The Duke and Duchess of Sussex via Getty Images)

When Meghan and Prince Harry formally step down as senior working members of the royal family on 31 March, the duchess will continue her work with ACU.

The former Suits actor was made royal patron of the organisation in January 2019, taking over the role from Queen Elizabeth II, who held the position for more than three decades.

Joanna Newman, secretary general of the ACU, said the duchess is “a very powerful spokesperson for us”.

Timothy Biswick, a research fellow at the University of Leicester from Malawi, stated that Meghan “knows what she’s talking about in terms of climate change”.

Photo by Chris Allerton/The Duke and Duchess of Sussex via Getty Images (Photo by Chris Allerton/The Duke and Duchess of Sussex via Getty Images)

“She was talking about things in quite some detail, so you know that this person knows what they are talking about and are passionate about it,” Biswick said.

The individuals Meghan met as part of her final solo royal engagement included Commonwealth Scholars, Chevening Scholars and an ACU Blue Charter Fellow.

The group came from 11 countries from across the Commonwealth, which were Malawi, India, Cameroon, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Pakistan, Ghana, Rwanda, Kenya, Malaysia and Sri Lanka.

The duchess wore a navy dress designed with cap sleeves for the engagement, accessorising with a matching neck scarf.

She reportedly flew back to Canada shortly after the Commonwealth Service.

Last week, Meghan made a surprise visit to a school in Essex ahead of International Women’s Day.

While addressing the Robert Clack Upper School in Dagenham, the duchess urged the school’s male students to “continue to value and appreciate the women in your lives and also set the example for some men who are not seeing it that same way”.

Meghan also called upon a male student to speak to the school about International Women’s Day, a proposition accepted by the school’s head boy, 16-year-old Aker Okoye.