Princess Diana
Princess Diana had to let go of majority of her charities so she could focus on six of them. Pictured: Princess Diana wearing a Jasper Conran suit during a visit to a community centre in Brixton, October 1983. Getty Images/Princess Diana Archive

Princess Diana was made a patron of over 100 charities when she was still a member of the royal family. However, she decided to let go of them following her divorce from Prince Charles in 1996.

The late Princess of Wales opted to keep her position as patron or president of six charities, namely, Centrepoint, the English National Ballet, the Leprosy Mission, the National Aids Trust, London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children and the Royal Marsden Hospital.

Some of the charities that she cut ties with were Help the Aged, Barnardos, Relate and the Parkinson’s Disease Society. After announcing her decision, Princess Diana explained that she wanted to concentrate on a few causes. Unfortunately, her work with the six charities didn’t last very long because the mom of two passed away one year later.

Since her death, Princess Diana’s sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, have followed in her footsteps and became patrons of various charities. Prince William took over Centrepoint as patron, as well as the Royal Marsden Hospital as president. Prince Harry, on the other hand, has campaigned to help end the stigma surrounding HIV testing.

In related news, Prince Harry’s wife recently received her first four patronages. Two of which, The National Theater and the Association of Commonwealth Communities, were handed over to her by Queen Elizabeth II. Her Majesty served as the patron for the two charities for decades.

Markle also had the opportunity to choose the two other charities she will be working with closely. The Duchess of Sussex is now the patron of Mayhew and Smart Works. Following the announcement, Markle visited Smart Works on Wednesday.

Smart Works is a charity that helps long-term unemployed and vulnerable women regain the skills, confidence, and tools to succeed at job interviews. During this week’s appearance, Markle was photographed in her black dress and camel coat. She was also spotted stroking her growing baby bump.

Amanda Bude, a midwife from Groovy Babies, told Body & Soul that Markle may be pregnant with a baby boy because her baby bump is high and pointy.

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