Meghan Markle, who is due to give birth in April, showed all the graciousness of a royal when she expertly responded to a comment about her growing body.
“I’ll take it,” Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, said Wednesday with a laugh after a woman, pointing to Meghan's bump, called her a “fat lady.”
The exchange, which was caught on camera, came as Meghan visited Mayhew, a U.K. animal charity of which she is now patron.
Do my ears deceive me? Quite possibly the first time the Duchess of Sussex has been called a "fat lady" and loved it pic.twitter.com/xR2NelQyAW
— Hannah Furness (@Hannah_Furness) January 16, 2019
Markle, 37, gamely held some of the charity’s rescue dogs and petted others as she visited with staff and volunteers at Mayhew, which offers veterinary care and support for dogs and cats around the world.
Learning more about @TheMayhew’s International programmes in Afghanistan, Georgia, Russia and India with Dr Mo — last year Mayhew neutered 12,109 cats and dogs overseas. pic.twitter.com/IjicbAuRx9
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) January 16, 2019
At @TheMayhew The Duchess of Sussex meets Wully, a formerly homeless Pet Refuge service user, and his two dogs Azzy and Gallis — Wully was helped by Mayhew’s Animal Welfare Officers. pic.twitter.com/exYEOu2Ed0
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) January 16, 2019
Markle is a known dog lover who had her rescue dog, Guy, by her side on the morning of her wedding to Prince Harry last May. One photo even raised speculation that Guy rode in a car with Queen Elizabeth II ahead of Harry and Meghan's wedding at St. George's Chapel in Windsor.
(MORE: Meghan Markle visits women-focused charity after 1st patronages announced)
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex also became the new owners of a Labrador puppy in August, just a few months into their life as newlyweds.
Meeting TheraPaws volunteer Claire Godwin, and Roobarb the dog at @TheMayhew.
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) January 16, 2019
Mayhew’s TheraPaws animal therapy programme works to improve wellbeing in their local community. pic.twitter.com/VWoOH53dJr
The Duchess of Sussex paired a $35 H&M cream maternity dress with a cashmere coat by Armani for her visit to Mayhew. She also carried a bag made of vegan leather by Stella McCartney, who designed Meghan's evening wedding dress.
Mayhew is the second charity visited by Meghan since it was announced last week that she has taken on four patronages.
Pregnant Meghan Markle gives hint about due date in 1st appearance of 2019 with Prince Harry
In addition to Mayhew, the Duchess of Sussex is also the patron of Smart Works, a charity that helps women get back on their feet, the National Theatre and the Association of Commonwealth Universities.
Meghan is taking over the latter two patronages, the National Theatre and Association of Commonwealth Universities, from Queen Elizabeth II.
Meghan's four patronages "reflect the causes and issues with which she has long been associated including the arts, access to education, support for women and animal welfare," Kensington Palace said in a statement last week.
Later in the day, Meghan joined Prince Harry at the premiere of Cirque du Soleil's Totem at Royal Albert Hall in London.
Meghan changed from her H&M maternity dress into a sparkling evening gown by Roland Mouret, paired with a Givenchy clutch. She accessorized the look with a bracelet that once belonged to Harry's mother, the late Princess Diana.
The special Cirque du Soleil performance is in support of Harry's charity, Sentebale, which supports children and young people with HIV and AIDS in Lesotho.
