Meghan takes on four royal patronages

The Duchess of Sussex has become the patron of a range of organisations reflecting her interests in the arts, access to education, support for women and animal welfare, Kensington Palace has announced.

Meghan has taken on honorary roles with the National Theatre, the Association of Commonwealth Universities, Smart Works, which helps vulnerable women gain employment, and Mayhew, an animal welfare organisation.

The announcement is a major milestone for the American-born former actress, outlining the first steps of her public life as a member of the monarchy.

Kensington Palace said in a statement: "The Duchess is delighted to become patron of both national and grassroots organisations that are part of the fabric of the UK, and is very much looking forward to working with them to bring wider public attention to their causes.

"Her Royal Highness feels she can use her position to focus attention on, and make a particular difference to these organisations and, more widely, the sectors they each represent."

The roles are the first patronages Meghan holds in her own right, as she is already a joint patron of the Royal Foundation.

The duchess's position with the National Theatre was leaked ahead of the official announcement and widely reported over the weekend.

And it was accidentally revealed by the theatre on Wednesday in a post in the "what's on" section of its website.