Meghan Markle's emotional reason for rare UK appearance after 'never again' vow

23 February 2024 , 10:42

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Meghan Markle made a surprise appearance at an animal charity (Image: 2018 Getty Images)

Meghan Markle "never felt at home" in the UK, but that didn't stop her from making a virtual return to London to pay tribute to her "dear friend" who died suddenly.

The Duchess of Sussex and her husband Prince Harry moved to America four years ago, with Meghan yet to set foot in the UK again. Royal author Omid Scobie explained in his book Endgame that Meghan has no intention of ever returning to England.

He claimed she "never felt at home" in the UK and wrote that Meghan "never wants to set foot again in England." However, she took a small step in overcoming this vow as she opened a new wing of an animal charity in the UK.

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Meghan Markle appeared by video message (PA)

The former Suits star sent a personal video message in memory of dog trainer and close friend Oli Juste, who died suddenly in January 2022. The animal behaviourist had introduced Meghan to the Mayhew animal charity, leading to her becoming its patron for three years.

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The video of Meghan was played at the unveiling of the Oli Juste Wing at Mayhew's Centre in north London on Wednesday. The charity said a "generous" donation made by Oli's "dear friend" Meghan through her Archewell Foundation has allowed them to open newly refurbished kennels.

In the clip, Meghan said: "A heartfelt thank you to the wonderful team at Mayhew who have worked tirelessly to bring this dream to life. It was so important to find a way to celebrate Oli's memory in a manner that he would have loved. Mayhew is a beacon of hope for those in need and a shining example of what can be achieved when we work together."

She opened up about her friendship with Oli Juste (Getty Images)

Meghan also released a statement on her website to remember her friendship with Oli. "They shared many things throughout their friendship, among which was a deep commitment to animal welfare and a love of rescue dogs," it read.

The statement continued: "The Oli Juste Wing is a testament to his unwavering love and commitment to our furry friends, and will improve the lives of countless animals, reminding us all of the power of compassion, connection, and care." The Duchess of Sussex also shared a loving tribute to her friend following his death.

"We shared, amongst many things, a commitment to animal welfare, and a deep love of rescue dogs. In fact, it was Oli and his fiancé Rob who helped care for my rescue dog, Guy, when I had just moved to the UK and he was recovering from a debilitating accident. They loved him as though he was their own," she said at the time.

Scarlett O'Toole