Wednesday 24 January 2018

Meghan's First Evening Engagement & Her New Aide!

We're back with news regarding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's next engagement! Next Thursday evening, 1 February, the couple will attend the annual Endeavour Fund Awards at Goldsmiths' Hall. Harry and Meghan will celebrate the achievements of wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women who have taken part in remarkable sporting and adventure challenges over the last year.


Prince Harry and Ms. Markle will first attend a pre-ceremony reception where they will meet the inspiring nominees, as well as endeavour participants and key supporters of the Endeavour Fund. They will then attend the awards ceremony, where prizes will be awarded. The Endeavour Fund is a project led by The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry. The fund plays an important role in ensuring that more servicemen and women have the opportunity to rediscover their self-belief and fighting spirit through physical challenges. It aims to target those that are hard to reach and to support activities that contribute to the participants’ recovery – either through mentorship, qualifications or work opportunities.


One person will receive the The Henry Worsley Award - awarded to the individual who has best inspired others through the demonstration of determination in the face of adversity, whilst endeavouring to support others with their recovery through sport or adventure challenge. The Henry Worsley Award is named after the late Henry Worsley, who tragically lost his life in January 2016 whilst attempting to cross the Antarctic landmass, solo and unsupported. Henry, a career soldier and an experienced polar adventurer, undertook this incredible expedition in order to raise money for the Endeavour Fund.


In addition to their pre-wedding tour of the UK, Harry clearly wants to share causes and charities close to his heart with Meghan. Harry is Royal Patron of the Fund and has carried out numerous engagements in support of their work. In the video below, you can hear Harry and William's speech at the inaugural awards last year. They were both deeply saddened by the loss of Henry Worsley.


In terms of what Meghan will wear for her first evening function there's a variety of possibilities. As you'll see in the video above, there doesn't appear to be a set dress code. I think a knee length dress with a fitted jacket or tailored pants and a blazer could both work very well for the event. 


I'm very much looking forward to this one!

Meghan's New Aide... Several of you have been in touch to ask about the lady assisting Meghan during her engagements. As many of you will have read, her name is Amy Pickerill, she transferred from the Kensington Palace press office to Harry's personal office to help Meghan with her diary and during engagements. People reports: "She joined the palace after working in the banking sector. Her Linkedin profile notes that she graduated from the University of Nottingham with a degree in history in 2007, followed by a broadcast journalism degree from City University in 2009. At the time of the engagement announcement in November, palace sources said that Meghan would receive the support of private secretary Ed Lane Fox and his team. Now, Pickerill has been confirmed as an addition to that group." You can see Ms Pickerill behind Meghan in the video below from Cardiff.


When Harry and Meghan marry in May, she will officially have her own Private Secretary. It's possible Amy is filling in until then, equally there's a strong chance she will stay on and assume the role full-time. 

49 comments:

  1. Yay! I love the pace that they've been keeping for work events since their engagement. Seems to be about every other week...have a work engagement and then the following week announce the next work engagement for the week after. I hope they keep up this pace until the wedding!

    I also love that they're supporting a veterans' cause. We all know how important this area is to Harry and I hope Meghan will find a way to include veterans - and/or veterans' families - in her list of patronages. I'd love her to do something with the children or families, maybe similar to Joining Forces (created by Michelle Obama and Jill Biden).

    I can't wait to see what she'll wear. Something by Vivienne Westwood is my guess.

    p.s. Charlotte - you have a small typo in the paragraph above the first video: "clears" instead of "clearly." Thanks for the quick post!! I always know I can come here to find timely updates and information, not to mention wonderful photos!

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind comments and for alerting me to the typo :)

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  2. I want to see them matching again so I say a nice blue dress since Harry loves the color blue.
    Love that they have been steady with their engagements while planning their wedding.

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    1. Noooo, no more blue!!! :) I'm so tired of seeing the younger royals in blue! There are so many other, lovely colors out there that would look so great on Harry, so please no more blue!

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    2. Lauri, LOL! I wouldn’t mind seeing Meghan in blue... I just hope she doesn’t get stuck in a “blue” rut!

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  3. I think something simple and elegant would be best. Nothing too showy because the focus is on the veterans.

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    1. I agree Mimi, but you know "It's a catch 22" whatever she wears will be pulled apart, but I guessed that's one of drawbacks to being in the public eye. The emphasis should be the veterans...

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    2. Yes it will be pulled apart, but I think given the importance of the event she will want to appear polished and put together. She will have plenty of time to truly shine without being glamshamed.

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    3. "shine without being glamshamed". I like the way you put that, Mimi😊. Every Princess needs to know how to do that. :)

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  4. Any seems like a great fit for Meaghan...and I like her fashion sense so far as well!

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    1. Of all the places to misspell Meghan's name!! Sorry!!!

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  5. What a fun job for Amy Pickerill. She gets to go to all the events, but isn't the star or one being scrutinized. I do wonder about Amy going from a degree in broadcast journalism to collecting flowers and doing other supportive tasks. Although perhaps when not on duty at events, Amy will get to use her media skills in being an advisor.

    Here's hoping at the evening engagement, Meghan improves on her messy bun and showcases her hair in a better look than we've seen lately. She is beautiful woman for sure.

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    1. Not quite the same. But, I went from a news reporter to being a personal assistant. It's the attention to detail that translates really well.

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  6. A new engagement,that's fantastic! Of course I agree,the focus should be on the veterans,not on her outfit.I would like a minimal outfit,not black this time,a light blue or light green,or a nude one.
    Amy looks adorable.

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  7. Great evening event
    I'm in a hurry and I can not wait to see the photos and the summary of the evening
    Thank you Charlotte and good luck because it will be a double day of work

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  8. okay. This will be an opportunity to check the Caroline Bissett Kennedy theory. posed here before.
    Her engagement photo gown fit, the Christmas luncheon dress and all outfits so far.
    If it is a gown, I think it will be very CBK.
    What do ya'll think? :)

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    1. Based on the video above, she should not wear a gown. I agree with Charlotte's suggestions. Less is more.

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    2. Caroline Bessette Kennedy. (John Kennedy, Jr.'s wife.)

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    3. I agree Surfer Girl that the odds are leaning towards very CBK (aka Caroline Bessette Kennedy/& yes their personalities couldn't have been more different) tho it's interesting as I googled Meghan's Event Style Before now? It wasn't CBK at All!? Lot's of Color & oodles of Chic dresses & outfits! I thought that's what we'd be seeing more of from her? This new style seems to be just that, "A New Event Style"! I wonder why? Her previous style was Fantastic!

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    4. I believe her name was Carolyn not Caroline.

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    5. I could totally understand if Meghan is doing her best to stay away (style-wise) from her Rachel Zane character. And let's remember that even off-duty private events were linked with "Hollywood expectations"; Hollywood was her bread and butter and, like all actors/actresses, she needed to be seen. Now, as Harry's fiancée, she KNOWS she's being seen and a CBK approach may work well for various reasons.

      Just my two cents.

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    6. rf.😊 I don’t have a clue, except that maybe she thought of Carolyn (thanks,rf) as American royalty and found solace in entering her own royal experience with the tried and true classic minimalism of CBK. Maybe as some sort of tribute to Carolyn and JFK, Jr.
      Kind of like when William and Kate were first married and headed for Canada. Kate, at the airport, left the building to board their jet wearing what clearly looked like a stewardess outfit to pay homage to her mother who once worked as a stewardess. (Kate never wore that outfit again.)
      And, for emphasis perhaps, she walked from the building to the jet by herself.

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    7. royalfan agree that her prior styling was often career reflective, her current style maybe her own with her stylists help. I do not think she is imitating anyone just choosing a fairly standard classic style, many woman who have the means have a similar style.

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    8. Well, SG, for some reason MM does appear to emulate CBK's style and, frankly, I see nothing wrong with it. She could do worse, no?

      Regarding Kate ... I do not believe the outfit you mentioned was intended as a nod to Carole. I saw it as a professional, pre-tour outfit. IMO, Kate being there and boarding the plane as a future Queen ahead of her first royal tour....now THAT was a tribute to Carole (and Mike!). :-)

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  9. I'm glad that Meghan is getting help from the start, or before the start. In order to have a real life of some sort, especially with a family, they will need lots of help.

    Colors---I hope she doesn't take another gorgeous handbag!! Maybe they could do some greens or light blue. And some of her fun flats. I'm sure we will see Meghan in lighter colors during the Spring and Summer.

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  10. It's wonderful how Meghan has embraced the Royal role already. I wonder if she'll take up a role within the 'Heads Together' campaign ? If so, where will she lean towards ? William, highlights bereavement, Harry's role is veterans, and Kate as we know, Mothers and the young and vulnerable. Meghan has been passionate about women's equality through her role with the UN, maybe that is something she can tie into the Heads Together campaign ?

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    1. That’s a great idea!

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    2. Kiwi, that's my guess too! Something surrounding Women's Rights & Their Vulnerabilities, outside of Motherhood & Parenting, which Kate seems to have covered. Lot's of timely stuff right now on the heals of the #metoo movement over here in the States. Would harassment in the work place be too edgy do you think?

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    3. I also think, after The Wedding, we'll be hearing The Royal Trust referred to (instead of The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge & Prince Harry) as The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge & The Duke & Duchess of "TBD".

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    4. I like this idea as well. :)

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    5. Music to my ears Becca. I am looking forward to Harry having his own identity with Meghan, and not a third wheel. I always felt sorry for him in some of the images with Will and Kate. While the Royal Trust is a joint effort, I am hoping Harry and Meghan remain a couple and not rolled into a "foursome" model. Harry and William have different roles. Some overlap, but I hope Harry and Meghan present their own unique status.

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    6. Music to my ears Becca. I am looking forward to Harry having his own identity with Meghan, and not a third wheel. I always felt sorry for him in some of the images with Will and Kate. While the Royal Trust is a joint effort, I am hoping Harry and Meghan remain a couple and not rolled into a "foursome" model. Harry and William have different roles. Some overlap, but I hope Harry and Meghan present their own unique status, to compliment the Cambridge's.

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  11. Hope that Meghan finally selects a dress for an official engagement!
    And hopefully beautiful curly hairs :)
    Can't wait for the 1st of February!!!!

    What a nice PA she has! Hopefully she'll stay :)

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  12. SG---All I remember of Caroline Bissett Kennedy is her wedding dress! And from what I have read she was nothing like our MM.

    My prediction is that MM will wear inauspicious jeans and a T-shirt with an appropriate slogan and then a nice jacket. But she will have her hair down.

    And re our handbag collections, I just bought a new black one and it was so cheap. :) I have two problems with buying bags for myself: I'm a vegetarian so I buy fake leather bags, and we have lots of cats, and once they see a new bag, it's days are numbered.

    And I also wonder what MM can campaign for or against if she cannot go global. Maybe poverty and injustice.

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  13. Allison.😊 Nope. Different people. Seemingly similar style.
    cats and handbags. dogs and shoes. :)

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    1. Hey, what do you know? I just typed in "Meghan Markle & Carolyn Bessette Kennedy" & a whole slew of side by side photos popped up! Attached to the photos are articles by HarpersBazaar, Vanity Fair, People, yada yada. All noting the similarities of the two women's styles, tho 2 decades apart. I guess the articles began back at M&H's first Royal Engagement in Nottingham, when Meghan wore the Khaki skirt, black Turtleneck & boots. It was almost identical to the same outfit Carolyn wore in NYC when John Kennedy Jr. held an impromptu press conference outside of their Tribeca Loft, after their Wedding, when he introduced Carolyn to The Press & asked that they respect her privacy! The articles & side by side photos made for a good read. It's interesting how both Jackie Kennedy & Carolyn Bessette Kennedy's personal styles have both become iconic!

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    2. I saw some of those articles, Becca.😊
      Kind of like Kate mimicked Princess Grace’s wedding gown.

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    3. Exactly! The "Inspired by" look! :)

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  14. Allison.😊 Nope. Different people. Seemingly similar style.
    cats and handbags. dogs and shoes. :)

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  15. Re what to wear: Surprise me, Ms Markle. Surprise me! Thanks Charlotte for keeping us informed with credible info. Awesome! We can rely on your posting.

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  16. funny and true!

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  17. Hope she chooses a nice gorgeous dress with some colour . Did not like Meghans last appearances saratorially !!

    Her style before going public with Harry was good but now it’s meh !

    Also hope she hires a hairdresser , she clearly doesn’t have one looking at her messy buns !

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    1. Hmm... I wonder if Prince Charles is picking up Meghans clothing costs or will that come after the wedding. I do recall early on Kate wearing much straight from her closet and none were very exciting. I do recall Kate calling her more fashionable clothing "her work clothes". I do think Meghan already has lovely things as a city girl vs a country girl.

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  18. I don't think it will be too a formal occasion for a 'posh frock', although they were in suits last year and the Worsley family were smartly dressed (I think the daughter was in a green lace dress -seen in the video attached by Charlotte)

    I'd like to see her in something from her pal Roland Mouret maybe - https://www.rolandmouret.com/product/resort-2018/noblethorpe-dress/blk-multi
    https://www.rolandmouret.com/product/resort-2018/witham-dress/cerise

    She's a fan of Burberry so maybe this is a more subtle (sorry 'black again' ) option https://www.harrods.com/en-gb/burberry/exposed-stitch-dress-p000000000005812301?bcid=1463743614674

    Interesting role that Amy Pickerill has now - I think the classic "lady-in-waiting" job doesn't really exist anymore - Catherine and Meghan have both chosen media savvy /marketing background women to be there as a more substantial support.

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    1. I could totally see MM in one of these outfits.

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  19. The more I see Harry and Meghan’s engagement photos, the more and more I love them. :)

    There are so many photos of Meghan available from her baby photo with her father up to and including all the actress/PR photos she did. And there are quite a lot of videos on you tube. Not to mention magazine interviews, stuff from The Tig, her Instagram account, etc. So, being followed by the Royal reporters/photographers won’t be such a novelty to her. I still highly suggest that you google the photo of Meghan meeting President Obama at the White House. It is an emotive my kinetic photo for sure. A classic. A must see. :)

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  20. Some clothes I have also kept and made into other things (well, I intend to get the sewing kit out!). An old top, for example, is going to be made into a sleeve to keep my Kindle. I also have a bag of baby clothes I was going to make into a patchwork thing - probably a blanket or something.

    children clothing australia

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