We have some very cute Sussex content for you this morning: as documented on her official Instagram account @sussexroyal, Meghan Markle visited a London animal shelter (opens in new tab) when she returned to the UK earlier this month. The Duchess of Sussex visited the animal welfare charity Mayhew, of which she became a patron in January 2019, and was photographed with a very adorable dog.

Princess Meghan, I'm guessing (and I'm often wrong!) while spending time with that adorable dog along with Mayhew staff. She looked up at what looked like a diagnosis out of the frame and had an emotional expression on her face. And I strongly empathized with her, as someone who only has a maximum of 15 seconds to spend with a dog before investing fully and irrevocably in the dog's eternal welfare.

"Earlier this month, the Duchess of Sussex went to meet the wonderful people of Mayhew to hear about the incredible progress made during the festival," @sussexroyal captioned the photo." The Duchess of Sussex is proud to be a patron of Mayhew since January 2019 and has long understood the connection between animals and community welfare and applauds the important work the people of Mayhew do every day."

Princess Meghan has long been an avid animal lover and dog owner, so Mayhew's patronage could not be more fitting. In a statement posted on the charity's website (opens in new tab), she said. "As a proud rescue dog owner, I know from personal experience the joy that welcoming an animal into your home can bring. The role we humans play in finding homes for and protecting animals is crucial, but the role of organizations like Mayhew is unparalleled."

"What struck me first about Mayhew in particular," continued the Duchess, "was their community-based approach, not just in finding homes for animals, but in the preventive care that prevents these cats and dogs from entering shelters in the first place. From Mayhew's global education programs to their micro-level community work with the elderly, homeless, and vulnerable, they are actively seeking solutions that allow people to live with their animals and get the support they need to do so."

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