Meghan Markle Celebrates Shelter Expansion

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Meghan Markle’s role as patron of The Mayhew Animal Home may have ended when she and Prince Harry moved to the United States, but The Duchess of Sussex’s acts of kindness for canines in the animal welfare charity’s care continues with the opening of a new wing at the London facility.  

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Dubbed The Oli Juste Wing, the new section of The Mayhew Animal Home was named in memory of the Duchess’ late friend, dog trainer/animal behaviorist Oli Juste. 

Knowing their shared love of our four-legged friends, it was he who had brought the charitable organization to the attention of the Duchess in 2019, prompting her to become royal patron of the animal rescue.

Mayhew Animal Home; Kevin Cole 44/Shutterstock.com

According to The Independent, a number of notables attended the opening ceremony, including actress Beatie Edney (Poldark), Nigel Harman (who US TV viewers will remember as Lord Gillingham’s villainous valet in Downton Abbey), Rula Lenska (Coronation Street) and Laura Aikman (Gavin & Stacey, Archie), with The Duchess of Sussex paying tribute to her late friend via video.

Through The Archewell Foundation, The Duchess of Sussex made a generous contribution toward the creation of the wing. 

Shortly after Oli Juste’s passing in 2022, The Duchess of Sussex wrote: “It has left me, and so many others, heartbroken and reflective—knowing that the legacy he leaves for our furry friends is beautifully simple: just love them. Especially those left behind or forgotten.” 

Thanks to The Oli Juste Wing at The Mayhew Animal Home, neither dogs in need nor the animal behaviorist who loved them will ever be forgotten.

Here is a look back a The Duchess of Sussex’s 2019 visit to The Mayhew Animal Home:

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