Meghan Markle released an emotional statement in which she announced that she and the animal rescue organization Mayhew would be dedicating a new wing to her late friend Oli Juste.
Despite the fact that the Duchess of Sussex ceased to be a patron of the charity at the beginning of 2022, they have teamed up for the special occasion. Meghan explained in the statement how an animal behaviorist friend had introduced her to the charity and helped look after her dog, Guy, when he became ill when she first arrived in the UK.
“It was nearly four years ago that Oli introduced me to Mayhew as I was looking for volunteer opportunities,” she explained.
Oli had chosen the charity for her because he knew she would be “drawn to their deep love of community,” she continued.
Meghan revealed that Oli “suddenly” died on January 15, 2022, and that she and Mayhew would be establishing the Oli Juste wing at the charity to help shelter animals who are looking for a “forever home.”
“They will never be forgotten, and they will always be loved, just like Oli,” she concluded.
The statement also revealed that while the Duchess was no longer a patron of the charity, it still had her “unwavering support.”
“Our Royal Patronage with The Duchess of Sussex came to an end at the beginning of the year,” the charity confirmed in a small message.
“Working closely with Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex, since she became our Patron in 2019, has been an incredible privilege for Mayhew.”
Despite the fact that Meghan and Prince Harry were unable to attend the Duke of Edinburgh’s thanksgiving service, Meghan sent a special gift to the event.
Photo: © Getty Images
The Duchess sent a vibrant, eye-catching wreath that stood out among the royal family’s stunning white wreaths, which were displayed against the pews inside St George’s Chapel.
The wreath was made up of a variety of bright purple and blue locally sourced flowers, each of which had been thoughtfully selected, and was accompanied by a handwritten note from the Duchess.
The royal couple specifically requested that the wreath include acanthus mollis (bear’s breeches), the national flower of Greece, to represent Prince Philip’s heritage, and eryngium (sea holly) to represent the Royal Marines, which was created by Willow Crossley, one of their favorite florists.
Deepest condolences, Meghan, on the loss of your friend. I don’t know how all this is going to play out but I do want to thank you for caring for yourself while carrying Sophia and for taking such good care of her up to this point. Once I enter my daughter’s life, the transfer of her care will be seamless. I want to also thank you for not trying to keep me out of her life, like other women have done with my other children. If Harry and I do end up together, you won’t get any drama from me. I will love and care for Archie as if he were my own. We are going to get along just fine.
I think that you should know that I have supported you and Harry’s relationship as soon as it was made public. When I found out you were biracial, a woman of color, I said to myself “I knew Harry was going to end up with a woman of color!”. I’d go online and defend BOTH of you and your union against venom coming from racists who couldn’t handle that he chose a woman of color as his life partner, as his wife. Sweet Jesus, they couldn’t handle it. Then I said to myself “If Meghan, a biracial woman who could “pass” if she wanted to is receiving this level of hatred and venom because he chose her, when I was crazy and thought he was interested in me would have made them completely lose their minds because I couldn’t pass if I wanted to. Let’s just put it this way….these status-hungry gold-diggers and their gold-digging families can’t handle this here stuff. THEY JUST CAN’T HANDLE that I, a dark-skinned woman of color who is 11 years older than he, has my claws in him so deep that there is now a living breathing baby girl sharing our DNA, therefore, connecting us for life. They can’t handle that he feels the way he does about me, despite their complex, convoluted conspiracy of character assassination to not only keep him away but to keep all men away and the opportunities that people want to give me away. They are pissed that my gift kicked back in before they could destroy me.