Meghan Markle, the American actress and fiancee of Prince Harry, today made her working debut in London by joining forces with her husband-to-be's brother Prince William and sister-in-law Kate Middleton to create what is being dubbed by the British media as a "Fab Four". Launched in 2011, the Royal Foundation was set up by William and Harry as the main vehicle to pursue their charitable and philanthropic interests. Kate became a formal member after her wedding to William in April, 2011 and Meghan will be enrolled as a patron after her wedding to Harry on May 19 at Windsor Castle. Meghan joined Harry, William and Kate at an event for their personal charity, the Royal Foundation, to set out the collective charitable vision of the younger royals. "We've all got that same passion to want to make a difference. For me it's very important to want to hit the ground running," Meghan said, adding that women's issues would be at the heart of her work with the foundation. "There is no better time to really continue to shine a light on women feeling empowered, and people really helping to support them men included," she said. Opening the event, William, the Duke of Cambridge, welcomed Meghan to the royal fold and said that the foursome intended to work for long-term charitable goals. "We would not seek quick wins, but would strive to make a real and lasting difference. All of the projects have seen us working to change mindsets to make a real and lasting difference. "They have all seen us trying to tackle the biggest challenges of the day and they have all seen us uniting people, forming teams and coalitions, to work to make a difference together," William said. Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, who is pregnant with her third child, spoke about parenthood influencing her charitable work. "The work we do can, and should, have a long-lasting resonance.
For this reason, we are able to support causes which we're passionate about for decades into the future. Rather than just for a few months or years," she said. Harry said that he hoped to focus on sustainable tourism as part of the foundation. "We have different opinions and they work really well (together). Working as a family does have its challenges... But we are stuck together for the rest of our lives," he said, on a lighthearted note.
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