Website accidentally reveals Meghan Markle’s first patronage

It had been a closely guarded secret for months but now an online blunder has revealed some big news about the Duchess of Sussex.

It had been a closely guarded secret for months, but now Meghan Markle’s first royal patronage has been revealed thanks to an online blunder.

On Wednesday The National Theatre published and then swiftly deleted a post on its website announcing the Duchess of Sussex was its new royal patron.

Meghan Markle. Picture: Karwai Tang/WireImage

Unfortunately the theatre company’s premature announcement was spotted by The Telegraph, which shared a screenshot of the post online.

Whoops! Looks like the first patronage "secret" is officially official thanks to the National Theatre's IT department 😂 "The Duchess of Sussex announced as our new Royal Patron" pic.twitter.com/h8ysbfsOkP

— Hannah Furness (@Hannah_Furness) January 9, 2019

The National Theatre’s post confirmed speculation Meghan would be taking over from Queen Elizabeth, who has been a long time patron of the organisation.

The Duchess’s new patronage is a perfect fit for the former actress, who rose to fame starring on legal drama Suits.

Meghan also recently met with The National Theatre’s artistic director Rufus Norris at the palace, The Telegraph reports.

Since marrying Prince Harry last May Meghan has made several appearances as events related to the arts.

Last month, the pregnant royal paid a visit to Brinsworth House, a nursing home for British entertainers run by the Royal Variety Charity.

Meghan Markle at Brinsworth House last month. Picture: Geoff PUGH / POOL / AFP)

The Duchess of Sussex also attended the Royal Variety Performance in November and a charity performance of musical Hamilton in August.

A day after The National Theatre’s online gaffe Kensington Palace officially confirmed the Duchess of Sussex would be supporting the arts group alongside three other organisations.

Meghan will be the patron of the Association of Commonwealth Universities, animal welfare charity Mayhew and Smart Works; an organisation that aims to help long term unemployed women find work by gaining new skills and confidence.

The Duchess of Sussex will become Patron of four organisations that reflect the causes and issues with which she has long been associated including the arts, access to education, support for women and animal welfare. pic.twitter.com/tU9QWDlPyH

— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) January 10, 2019