In the weeks since writing a New York Times op-ed that revealed she had suffered a miscarriage in July, Meghan Markle has been out of the spotlight even as her husband Prince Harry made a few surprise video calls last week. But on Sunday, she made her first public appearance since the emotional essay was published, in a surprise video appearance for CNN’s Heroes: An All-Star Tribute, delivering remarks that thanked volunteers who have helped to feed the hungry during the coronavirus pandemic.
“In the face of this devastating reality, we also saw the power of the human spirit and the remarkable ways that communities respond in challenging times” she said. “We saw the good in people, in our neighbors and in entire communities coming together to say they would not stand by while our neighbors went hungry. We saw communities standing up and taking action.” According to CNN’s Max Foster, the video was recorded the week before last in Los Angeles.
In April, after relocating from Vancouver to California, some of Meghan and Harry’s earliest volunteer work involved delivering food to immunocompromised people. On CNN, she spoke about why that work mattered to her. “We know the value of food: as nourishment, as a life source, and in moments of crisis, the warmth of a meal can feel as comforting as a much needed hug—especially in the absence of human contact due to the social distancing we’re all experiencing.”
On Monday morning, Meghan also made her debut as a start-up investor. Fortune reported that Meghan has invested in Clevr Blends, a small women-owned company that makes oat milk latte drinks. The magazine added that the company is headquartered near Meghan and Harry’s house in Montecito, California, and that Meghan decided to reach out to the company and make the investment after she tried their product at a Santa Barbara coffee shop.
In a statement, Meghan praised the company’s founder, Hannah Mendoza, and explained why her commitment to women’s rights led her to be the company’s first outside investor. “This investment is in support of a passionate female entrepreneur who prioritizes building community alongside her business,” she wrote. “I’m proud to invest in Hannah’s commitment to sourcing ethical ingredients and creating a product that I personally love and has a holistic approach to wellness. I believe in her and I believe in her company.”
Though this is her first official investment in a female-founded company, her shopping habits have long illustrated her passion for supporting them, and brands like the shoe companies Birdies and Sarah Flint have thanked the “Meghan effect” for launching them to a wider audience.
Before the announcement, there was one hint that Meghan was about to share some news about her affiliation with the brand. Her friend Oprah, also a Santa Barbara resident, shared a photo of a Clevr Blends gift basket. she said came from “On the first day of Christmas my neighbor ‘M’ sent to me…a basket of deliciousness!” she wrote, adding “Yes, that M” with a crown emoji.
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