This is very interesting – we’ve heard for a few months that the Duchess of Cambridge and Duchess of Sussex would be announcing new projects, new patronages, new royal work. Some of us were expecting Kate to launch her big solo initiative in November or December, but that didn’t happen, so maybe it will happen this month. As for Meghan, we’ve been waiting to see which patronages she would take on. In December, we heard that Meghan will likely become the patroness to the Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED), an international organization involved with (you guessed it) educating girls in developing nations. Now we’re hearing that Meghan will likely take over one of the Queen’s long-held patronages too: Meghan will be the patron of the National Theatre.

She is the Hollywood starlet who has found her greatest part as the most glamorous member of the Royal Family. And now the Duchess of Sussex is set to take over the regal role of patron of the National Theatre from the Queen, The Mail on Sunday has learned. According to royal sources, Her Majesty has made the decision that Meghan should be given the coveted position as a mark of her growing confidence in the Duchess. It is understood the appointment will be announced in the next few days.

Last month, Meghan had a private meeting with Rufus Norris, the director of the National Theatre, and, according to sources, they discussed plans for her role. Royal insiders believe Meghan’s career as an actress makes her a ‘natural fit’ for the position. The handover from the Queen will lower the curtain on an association going back decades. Founded by Sir Laurence Olivier in 1963, the National first had its home at the Old Vic theatre, but relocated to its current home on the South Bank in 1976. One part of Meghan’s job will be strengthening connections between the theatre and American benefactors, and the hope is the Duchess will add a ‘Meghan dividend’.

The National Theatre has an office in New York and many of the company’s most successful productions including History Boys and War Horse have opened to rave reviews on Broadway. Part of the role will see Meghan becoming involved with The American Associates of the National Theatre – a New York-based charity which contributes more than £3million a year to supporting the National’s work.

Rufus Norris, who succeeded Sir Nicholas Hytner as director of the National Theatre in 2015 and who lived in Ethiopia, Malaysia and Nigeria as a child, is said to be acutely aware of promoting openness to different cultures. Until now, however, he hasn’t openly courted the theatre’s connection to the Royal Family, saying last year that the National did not use the ‘Royal’ prefix for fear of being considered elitist. He said: ‘This country is still very class divided and anything that adds to that perception, that this place is not open to everybody, could be a downfall.’

The Duchess, who has been outspoken about the racism her mother Doria experienced, is said to have bonded with Mr Norris. She has taken a great interest in the arts since moving to Britain. Meghan and Harry attended a benefit performance of the hit musical Hamilton to support Harry’s charity Sentebale.

Royal sources said Meghan has been holding various private meetings with organisations that tie in with her charitable and humanitarian interests. She is expected to begin work with these groups before taking leave to give birth to her first child later this year.

[From The Daily Mail]

It’s a smart connection, and it’s a sign of just how much regard the Queen has for Meghan. It doesn’t sound like it’s one of those patronages where Meghan will be expected to turn up once or twice a year at most – if she gets this, there will probably be meetings and she’ll be expected to wine-and-dine American donors and raise the profile of the British-American associations. I suspect that Meghan’s patronages will follow the same kind of ratio – one CAMFED, then one artsy patronage. One serious, international-flavor patronage, and then one local and “softer” patronage.

Photos courtesy of WENN, Backgrid.