During a packed day of royal engagements, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made an unannounced visit to a charity supporting sex workers in Bristol. There, in a lovely gesture, Meghan Markle wrote messages of support to the women.
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One25 charity is an organisation that reaches out to women “trapped in, or vulnerable to, street sex work”. Meghan and Prince Harry had been watching volunteers pack food parcels – to be delivered through their Outreach program – when Meghan suddenly asked if she could borrow a sharpie.
“I have an idea,” she shared.
The Duchess wrote on one banana, “You are brave” and on another, “You are strong”, on another, “You are loved” with a small love heart.
Kensington Palace described her actions as a “simple gesture and a way to incorporate positivity and kindness for those needing a self esteem boost.”
“I saw this project this woman had started somewhere in the States on a school lunch programme,” Meghan said per the Daily Mail‘s Rebecca English. “On each of the bananas she wrote an affirmation, to make the kids feel really, like, empowered. It was the most incredible idea – this small gesture.”
The Duke & Duchess of Sussex have made an unannounced visit to @One25Charity which supports sex workers in Bristol. Meghan decided to write messages of support for the women on bananas which are put in food bags for them. The charity also distributes hot water bottles and condoms pic.twitter.com/L6dmyXEIjb
— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) February 1, 2019
According to their website, One25’s primary mission is to help women build new lives away from violence, poverty, and addiction.
“The food parcels, and The Duchess’s messages, will be delivered directly to vulnerable women on the streets by One 25’s ‘Yellow Van’ – part of their outreach programme,” The Palace wrote on Instagram.
The Outreach team, known as the ‘yellow van ladies’ provide food, first aid, warm clothing, condoms, and safety alarms.
During their visit, royal correspondents report the Duke and Duchess met with volunteers, drop-in coordinators, and charity leaders.
CEO Anna Smith said Meghan’s gesture “really touched me”.
“She was just watching the food being packed up and suddenly decided she wanted to write these beautiful messages on every banana they had there. She had clearly listened and heard what we are all about—that we don’t judge, we simply offer the service and unconditional love. She totally got it.” Smith said as tweeted by reporter Omid Scobie.
One25 hope the high-profiled visit will help raise more awareness for their charity and encourage donations needed to extend their outreach program from five nights a week to seven.
