Duchess Meghan Writes a Touching Letter After Her Animal Charity Patronage Ends
Duchess Meghan's patronage of Mayhew, a U.K.-based animal welfare charity, has officially come to an end.
The organization announced the news via Twitter, writing in a statement, "It has been a busy and productive three years together where we have gained so much from her kind support. Thank you to Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex. You'll always be part of the Mayhew family."
The duchess, who joined as Mayhew's first royal patron in 2019, wrote a touching letter in which she reflected on her work with the charity over the past few years, as well as honored the legacy of her late friend, animal behaviorist Oli Juste.
"It was nearly four years ago, as I was exploring possible organizations to volunteer with, that Oli brought me to Mayhew," she wrote. "He knew that beyond their adoption and rescue programs, their international work to keep animals safe, and their local work to find abandoned pets homes, that I would be drawn to their deep love of community, which transcended the animals themselves, and extended to the people around them. He was right. I fell in love with Mayhew, and soon became their Royal patron."
Meghan—who wrote forewords for the organization's 2019 and 2020 Annual Reviews—acknowledged Mayhew's profound commitment to its mission, in spite of the obstacles imposed by the pandemic. In 2020, Meghan and husband Prince Harry made a holiday donation to the organization to help them get through the difficult times.
"As my three-year patronage to Mayhew came to a close earlier this year, I reflected on the work they have achieved in the hardest of times—during a global pandemic with minimal resources, safeguarding staff from their stations in Afghanistan, and still resolving to remain steadfast in their vital day to day work for animal and human welfare throughout London and across the globe," the duchess wrote.
She also paid tribute to Juste, who passed away this past January. "It has left me, and so many others, heartbroken and reflective—knowing that the legacy he leaves for our furry friends is beautifully simple: just love them," she continued. "Especially those left behind or forgotten. In his memory, we will be creating the Oli Juste wing at Mayhew, to shelter the animals who may have a harder time finding their forever homes. Because much like Oli, they will never be forgotten, and they will always be loved."
Meghan ended her letter with a call to action for others to support animal welfare, writing, "The emotional support of a rescue animal is unparalleled—as you’ll soon realize: it is not you who saves them, it is they who save you."
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