Charity work

Newly-wed Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, has promised to give more time to the Indian charity handpicked for donations in lieu of gifts for her royal wedding to Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex.

As the 36-year-old former actress mingled with the 600 guests invited to St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle on Saturday, she told founder of Myna Mahila Foundation — based in the western Indian city of Mumbai — that she was looking forward to giving more time to the women’s empowerment charity.

“It was the highlight of the day, to meet the bride. She was as down-to-earth and as approachable as ever. She said that now she would be able to give more time to Myna and other humanitarian work,” said Suhani Jalota, who founded the charity nearly three years ago.

As a guest in the chapel and the lunchtime reception hosted by Queen Elizabeth II soon after at St George’s Hall in the Castle, Jalota received lot of compliments for her pastel sari with Indian motifs.

Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra, who was among the guests as one of the bride’s close friends from the acting world, also bonded with her over her “very pretty” outfit and their mutual admiration for their mothers’ support in their lives.

“It was just such a heartwarming experience. going to the chapel and reception afterwards made the whole thing a lot more grounded. When you perceive this from the outside, it is all about this really glamorous royal wedding but when you are actually there, you see that it’s just about love and marriage and friendship and family,” said Jalota.