The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended the Endeavour Fund Awards at Draper Hall this evening. In the words of Kensington Palace, the series acknowledges the, “Achievements of wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women who have taken part in remarkable sporting and adventure challenges over the last year to help with their recovery.” Naturally it’s a cause right up Harry’s alley and in fact the couple also attended last year during their engagement (aka the night of Meghan’s debut tuxedo).
The Endeavour Fund is led by Harry and The Royal Foundation and provides financing for initiatives that support injured veterans. Launched in 2012, the fund has now supported 86 charities throughout the UK. Last month the two chaired the board that decided this year’s honorees during a private event.
The couple mingled with participants and staff ahead of the event. Overheard chatter included Harry noting that the baby he and Meghan are expecting is notably big – indeed, I wondered several weeks ago whether the due date was earlier than anticipated due just how pregnant Meghan looked, but in fact she’s subsequently let it slip that they’re not expecting the baby until late April or May. Between Baby Sussex, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte, that is a lot of royal birthdays all at once!
Both Harry and Meghan presented awards – below is video captured by royal reporter Omid Scobie:
On the fashion front, Meghan wore a white blouse and long black skirt by Givenchy with new heels from Aquazzura. I loved this ensemble and while I’ve noted some criticism online that it’s not very flattering, I actually disagree. I think this silhouette works for Meghan’s figure right now and is a nice change of pace from a flowing or overly tight gown.
I’m calling it a win.
Unclear when we’ll next see Meghan, but my guess is a new engagement will be added to the books either tomorrow or early next week.
Meanwhile in other royal news, it was reported last night that the Duchess of Cambridge hosted a dinner at Buckingham Palace, but no other information was released. It’s subsequently been confirmed that it was on behalf of the early intervention campaign Kate is spearheading and the guest list was comprised of experts, medical professionals and charity organizers. The campaign, announced in September, has since formed a steering committee that is examining the link between childhood intervention and mental health. The results are due to be released later this year.
According to Vanity Fair’s Katie Nicholl, Kate secured permission to use BP as the venue from the Queen herself. From the same article:
Last year, she attended a symposium of leading academics and charities who champion early intervention into the lives of children. Now, she has formed her own committee, which meets once a month and is in the stages of drawing out a long-term plan. “She is really crystallizing her idea, fleshing it out, and drawing on the support of many individuals to make this happen,” said the aide. The aide added that Kate has attended nearly all of the monthly meetings, which have taken place at the Royal Foundation and Kensington Palace.
There is enthusiasm about the idea in the Palace, and Kate is very committed to the work. “The ideas are really developing with the duchess at the helm. People will see a gradual increase in the sort of engagements the duchess has been doing crescendo to more specific events. We are in the process of piecing things together,” the aide said. “This is not a project the duchess is going to dip in and out of, it’s something that will define her over the coming decades. This is very much a personal mission and one Kate wants to drive.”
We’re next due to see Kate and the Duke of Cambridge on Sunday at the BAFTAs. (Reportedly)