World News
Meghan Markle spotted at women’s shelter in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside
Meghan Markle met with women at the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre in Vancouver on Tuesday afternoon.The Duchess of Sussex sipped Tetley tea and spent more than an hour with shelter managers and frontline workers, learning about issues faced by marginalized and vulnerable women. (Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre/Facebook)Meghan Markle met with women at the Downtown Eastside…
Meghan Markle met with women at the Downtown Eastside Women's Centre in Vancouver on Tuesday afternoon.
Meghan Markle met with women at the Downtown Eastside Women's Centre in Vancouver on Tuesday afternoon.
The Duchess of Sussex sipped Tetley tea and spent more than an hour with shelter managers and frontline workers, learning about issues faced by marginalized and vulnerable women.
She asked about the work done at the centre and what can be done to make life safer for women on the Downtown Eastside, said Kate Gibson, the centre's acting director.
“She was just casual and lovely,” Gibson said.
“She just wants to get to know the community. We know she's going to come to Canada and I think possibly the West Coast.
“I think that she just doesn't want to be sort of a stranger in the midst. She just wants to get to know people.”
The Duchess of Sussex and her husband, Prince Harry, recently decided to step back from royal duties and split their time between Canada and the U.K.
The couple spent the holidays on Vancouver Island.
Gibson said Tuesday's visit was arranged when she received a “somewhat mysterious” email from a Hotmail account on Monday asking about security.
It was Markle's assistant.
Markle was interested in visiting some Vancouver organizations that serve women, Gibson said.
The Downtown Eastside Women's Shelter provides essential services for women and also serves as a drop-in emergency night shelter.
More than 500 women use its services every day, according to its website.
Gibson said she had a great conversation with Markle and that it was a welcome opportunity for the women working on the front lines to share stories about their work in the community.
“I thought she was really down to earth,” Gibson said.
“She's very good at sort of picking up something from the conversation and expanding that a bit and asking questions and empathetic. She was really great.”
Subscribe to Centenunlimited news
We hate SPAM and promise to keep your email address safe
