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Back to the Stage! See Every Photo from Meghan Markle's Visit to the National Theatre

Back to the Stage! See Every Photo from Meghan Markle's Visit to the National Theatre

Meghan Markle's return to the stage has come – but not as expected. The Duchess of Sussex paid a visit to the National Theatre in London, one of her four recently announced patronages, to see a few mini performances and meet young thespians in the making.

By Stephanie Petit

January 30, 2019 01:54 PM

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Credit: Yui Mok/PA Images via Getty

Meghan Markle returned to her acting roots on Wednesday.

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Credit: Yui Mok/PA Images via Getty

The Duchess of Sussex, 37, made her first public visit to the National Theatre in London – three weeks after it was announced she had adopted it as one of her initial four royal patronages.

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Credit: Yui Mok/PA Images via Getty

The royal mom-to-be arrived in a monochrome look, pairing a blush blazer with a V-neck dress by Brandon Maxwell.

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Credit: Yui Mok/PA Images via Getty

She even recycled her Aquazzura Matilde crisscross pumps, which she wore for her engagement photo call with Prince Harry in the Sunken Gardens of Kensington Palace in Nov. 2017. (Princess Eugenie is also a fan of the shoes!)

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Credit: NIKLAS HALLEN/AFP/Getty

Meghan carried the Metropolitan Insignia clutch from Carolina Herrera, which she previously used at Trooping the Colour last summer.

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Credit: NIKLAS HALLEN/AFP/Getty

The National Theatre is one of four patronages that she initially announced earlier this month – and this one was handed down to her by Queen Elizabeth, who had previously been the royal patron.

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Credit: Yui Mok/PA Images via Getty

Robert Lacey, a consultant for the Netflix smash The Crown, told PEOPLE, "If Meghan is ever missing the excitement of acting, this will put her back in touch with show business in a very creative way. It is tailor-made for her, and she will throw herself into it."

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Credit: NIKLAS HALLEN/AFP/Getty

The Duchess of Sussex "is a strong believer in using the arts to bring people from different backgrounds and communities together, and this first official visit to The National Theatre will explore the work they do, as well as meeting some of the talented teams and apprentices working behind the scenes," her office said in a statement.

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Credit: Jon Bond/WPA Pool/Getty

The Duchess of Sussex began Wednesday’s visit by joining a workshop with members of the Pericles company, which was the National Theatre’s first Public Acts production – uniting people from the community in London with professional actors to create a new musical version of the Shakespeare play.

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Credit: JON BOND/AFP/Getty

Meghan met 13-year-old Blessing who is passionate about inspiring others through storytelling. Her Public Acts experience as part of the cast of Pericles allowed her to "discover more about what she could do and gain more confidence."

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Credit: Jon Bond/WPA Pool/Getty

Meghan then met current and former apprentices who are working as technicians in various departments, including carpentry, metalwork and painting.

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Credit: Jon Bond/WPA Pool/Getty

She also caught a performance inspired by the play War Horse by primary school children, who are working with the theater’s elementary school program.

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Credit: Kensington Palace/Twitter

The children then sat on the floor gathered around Meghan. Kensington Palace shared a sweet photo of one school boy with an ear-to-ear smile and his chin propped up by his hands gazing up at the royal, clearly starstruck – and perhaps a bit smitten!

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Credit: Jon Bond/WPA Pool/Getty

Rufus Norris, director of the National Theatre, said the mom-to-be was very "encouraging" towards the children.

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Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty

"We are completely delighted to have the Duchess as our patron and look forward enormously to working with her and to seeing her as often as she’s got time for," said Norris.

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Back to the Stage! See Every Photo from Meghan Markle's Visit to the National Theatre

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