Stylist’s editor, Susan Riley, says: “I never imagined myself and the Duchess of Sussex would be together in John Lewis. But today that unlikely scenario unfolded.

“Invited to a private reception to support a new charitable collection with Smart Works, I twigged this wasn’t an ordinary press launch a few weeks back. A request for photo ID was one clue. Not to pack any liquids or bring a bag over A4 in size another (a shout out to my colleague for lending me her diminutive Alexander Wang with five minutes to go).

“Oxford Street’s John Lewis rooftop is a charming place at the best of times; wooden huts and deckchairs in summer, cosy lights and ice rink pop ups in winter. This time, the set up was slightly Hamptons wedding-esque; white chairs in rows, M&S food being served as canapes on black slate boards (to explain, the collaboration is with high street titans Jigsaw, John Lewis, and M&S as well as Misha Nonoo), while the UK’s fashion press waited for the Duchess to arrive.

“In person, she’s warm, low key and charismatic. Wearing a simple crisp white shirt and black trousers to echo the capsule collection she had come to publicise, the Duchess talked with passion of her past visits to Smart Works, and her hopes regarding what this collaboration would mean for the Smart Works charity and the women it helps empower (15,000 and counting in 8 centres around the UK). She laughed as she recalled seeing 40-50 lilac blazers on one visit, and her renewed desire to offer women the clothes they really needed to feel confident and equipped to get a job. ‘This isn’t charity, this is community. Community is sharing the blazer that you wore to the interview for your dream job because you don’t need it anymore.’

“Discussing how the project worked – for every item bought, one more is donated to Smart Works – she added: ‘The key is remembering that it’s not just about helping people that you know, but that you’re supporting those that you don’t. I see it as our role to be rallying around each other and saying: I want to help you. To be lifting each other up.’”

Meghan Markle’s high street clothing line is finally here, and it is office wear perfection