Meghan Markle's visit makes residents at Royal Variety care home feel 'truly uplifted'

Pregnant Meghan Markle popped in to meet retired entertainers and actors living at the Royal Variety Charity’s Twickenham-based care home – bringing her own star quality to liven up residents’ day.

The Duchess of Sussex arrived at Brinsworth House in London, placing a hand on her baby bump as she took time to chat with residents over tea.

The charity’s care home supports 36 residents who are former entertainers and artists, with activities coordinator, Jay Crank, saying Meghan Markle had made them "feel truly uplifted".

The Duchess, herself a former actress met ex-EastEnders actress Mona Hammond who played Blossom Jackson in BBC soap and Richard O’Sullivan – who was cast in the 1970s TV sitcom ‘Man About The House’.

Our guest The Duchess of Sussex @KensingtonRoyal arrived at Brinsworth House for the start of a special morning for everyone at Brinsworth House #Variety4Charity pic.twitter.com/gCf6EUMpcW

— Royal Variety (@RoyalVariety) 18 December 2018

Meghan Markle also took part in some carol singing around the care home’s Christmas tree with residents and joined an arts and crafts session, in which she personally signed a Christmas bauble artwork in the grounds.

Meghan Markle attended the Royal Variety Performance with Prince Harry in November but made a solo trip to the care home, as her final public engagement before Christmas.

Among other famous entertainers who have been cared for at the residential home are Sir Norman Wisdom, Dame Thora Hird and EastEnders actor Leslie Grantham.

Chairman of the Royal Variety, Giles Cooper, said: "We were absolutely delighted that Her Royal Highness was able to visit Brinsworth House just before Christmas. She is such a kind and caring lady and her visit really was an early Christmas treat for all of our residents and hard-working staff. She showed such genuine enthusiasm for the work of the Royal Variety Charity, making such an effort to speak with everyone she could and it was so great to see how she brought smiles to the faces of so many of our residents!"

King George V became the first patron of the Royal Variety Charity in 1921. The Queen became patron in 1952.

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