Meghan Markle visits homeless charity for pregnant women in Los Angeles where she created ‘pop-up baby boutique’ after having lunch with Archewell worker

• The Duchess of Sussex on Wednesday visited Harvest Home, a LA charity which helps homeless pregnant women, to mark International Women’s Day
• Markle and her Archewell Foundation set up what was termed a ‘pop up baby boutique’, offering books, clothes and toys
• Earlier on Wednesday the 41-year-old enjoyed a brunch in West Hollywood with Ashley Momtaheni, EVP of Global Communications of Archewell 

Meghan Markle celebrated International Women’s Day with a visit to a homeless shelter for pregnant women, handing out essential supplies to expectant mothers on behalf of her Archewell Foundation.

The 41-year-old mother of two beamed as she hugged a woman wearing a Harvest Home t-shirt – the name of the Los Angeles shelter.

In a $4,000 black cashmere Max Mara coat worn over black cropped trousers and a black woolen sweater, Markle and her team at Archewell distributed baby gifts.

She smiled broadly as she handed out baby clothes, books and toys in photos shared by Omid Scobie, a journalist who acts as her unofficial spokesman and co-authored the book about the Sussexes, Finding Freedom.

The Duchess of Sussex is seen on Wednesday at Harvest Home, a shelter for homeless pregnant women in Los Angeles

Meghan Markle hugs a woman in a Harvest Home t-shirt on Wednesday. She has backed the organization since 2021, urging others to make donations or give their time

Archewell employees are seen preparing a ‘pop-up baby boutique’, where they handed out baby clothes, toys and books

Scobie said the Archewell team ‘hosted lunch from a female owned restaurant and made a donation.’

Harvest Home’s website states that its work ‘transforms the lives of homeless pregnant women and their children by providing housing, support, and programs that equip women to become great mothers.’

The LA County Health Department reports that each year 5,000 women are homeless at some point during their pregnancy, the NGO says, yet in Los Angeles there are currently less than 70 shelter beds available for pregnant women.

Harvest Home provides 28 of those beds.

In a statement on their website, Archewell said: ‘Today, The Archewell Foundation celebrated International Women’s Day with a visit to Harvest Home.

‘This valuable organization helps provide housing, mental well-being support, and classes to expectant mothers who have faced tremendous challenges including domestic violence, substance use and homelessness. Since being founded in 1985, Harvest Home has supported over 600 pregnant women and their children.

‘As an advocate for women’s rights and supporter of mothers and families in need, Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex and the Archewell team celebrated the women of Harvest Home by creating a pop up baby boutique, hosting lunch from a female owned restaurant, and making a donation to the organization.

‘Happy International Women’s day to all of you! Whether donating your time, funds, or helping a woman in your community, let’s all celebrate the women in our lives today and every day!’

The Duchess of Sussex smiling as she leaves Gracias Madre in West Hollywood on International Women’s Day. She was accompanied by Ashley Momtaheni, EVP of Global Communications of Archewell

Meghan Markle outside the restaurant in West Hollywood on Wednesday

The Duchess of Sussex is pictured on Wednesday as she leaves the restaurant Gracias Madre

Meghan Markle smiles as she is photographed outside the restaurant in California

A Caesar salad at Gracias Madre is a whopping $18 while a starter of chorizo empanadas will set you back $17

Markle has supported the charity for several years.

How much does it cost to eat at the vegan spot Meghan went to?

Meghan Markle enjoyed brunch yesterday at the chic West Hollywood vegan hotspot Gracias Madre on Melrose Avenue.

It is a meat-free and organic Mexican restaurant that claims to be ‘born out of love for Mother Earth – and reverence for all mothers’.

A Caesar salad at Gracias Madre is a whopping $18 while a starter of chorizo empanadas will set you back $17.

If you get thirsty you can try a kefir hibiscus ginger soda for $7 or have a glass of CBD Agua Fresca for an eye-watering $12.

The restaurant’s signature Madre Bowl, which has chipotle roasted sweet potato and sautéed kale, costs a staggering $20. 

On Mother’s Day in 2021, she donated supplies to the organization. 

She said at the time: ‘When we consider how vulnerable any mother feels during the fragile time of pregnancy, we gain perspective about how especially difficult it can be for pregnant women of color and those who come from under-resourced and vulnerable communities. 

‘I hope you will accept an offer of support to help further uplift Harvest Home’s residents.’ 

And in July of the same year, Archewell partnered with Procter & Gamble and Pampers to donate ‘pallets and pallets of diapers’ to the charity. 

Harvest Home wrote on Instagram: ‘These diapers recently arrived at our new Pico-Robertson Home and we could not be more thankful to Archewell Foundation, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and @proctergamble and @pampersus for the incredible donation through their Million Acts of Love Campaign. 

‘Thank you helping us ensure our resident and alumnae families’ needs are met!’

Before visiting the shelter, the Duchess had brunch in West Hollywood with Ashley Momtaheni, EVP of Global Communications of Archewell.

The pair dined at Gracias Madre, a vegan Mexican restaurant on Melrose Avenue.

The restaurant says it is ‘born out of love for Mother Earth and reverence for all mothers.’ 

Wednesday’s outing came as the Daily Mail revealed Buckingham Palace is making plans for Harry and Meghan to attend the King’s Coronation.

Staff organizing logistics for the historic occasion have been instructed to include the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in their program for May 6, sources have said.   

While insiders cautioned the couple has not yet accepted King Charles’s invitation, the fact that officials within the Master of the Household’s Department and Lord Chamberlain’s Office are anticipating their attendance is the strongest suggestion yet that the Sussexes could make an appearance.

That is despite spending much of the last three years throwing brickbats at the monarchy as an institution as well as the rest of the Royal Family.

It is likely that negotiations around what events the couple would attend, where they would sit, what they would wear and, of course, their security, will go right to the wire.

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