Pensioner makes comment to Duchess of Sussex during tour of animal welfare charity in London.
The Duchess of Sussex was affectionately described as a “fat lady” when she visited an animal welfare charity – and fell in love with a Jack Russell dog.
Meghan, who is six months pregnant, showed off her large baby bump in a stylish figure-hugging dress by high street retailer H&M, with a coat by Armani, when she visited her new charity Mayhew.
The duchess toured the charity’s north-west London headquarters in Kensal Green to mark last week’s announcement that she has become the organisation’s patron.
When she chatted to a group of pensioners from a local dementia care home who receive petting dog visits organised by Mayhew, she was introduced to Gothrine McEachrom, known as Peggy, who said: “You’re a fat lady”.
Meghan laughed and replied “I’ll take that.”
When Peggy, who had a strong Jamaican accent, said she thought the duchess might be having a son, Meghan replied “You think it’s going to be a boy, I don’t know either.”
But when the pensioner questioned whether she really did know the sex of her unborn child Meghan added: “I don’t, I promise you – no – we’re going to be surprised.”
The duchess made the group laugh when she said: “I ask everyone what they think and everyone has a very strong opinion about it – and it’s either a boy and a girl.”
During the visit Meghan was introduced to Maggie, a one-year-old Jack Russell who had gone up for “adoption” on the charity’s website.
The duchess picked up the dog when she spotted it was shivering and clutched it to her chest when she chatted to Mayhew staff who told her about the charity’s projects in India and Afghanistan.
Meghan had two pet dogs when living in North America but reportedly had to leave behind her dog Bogart, a Labrador-Shepherd cross, who was thought to be too old to make the move to the UK.
Her other dog Guy, a Beagle, did make the journey and is now part of the family and has joined the Sussex’s other pet, a black Labrador.
Holding Maggie, who was brought to the Mayhew in November after her owner was unable to care for her, the Duchess said: “We can’t get another dog before the baby, our hands are full.”
The duchess later described her early experiences with her rescue dog Guy, who had been traumatised by earlier experiences.
She said: “He was petrified to come in the front door, he didn’t know how to go up and down stairs – all the things you’re patient with and then you end up with the best dog in the world.”
It is thought Meghan researched Mayhew on the internet before approaching the charity to learn more about its work, and made two private visits, the first in November, before her public tour.
The charity was founded in 1886 and today sees itself as an animal welfare social worker, keeping cats and dogs, whether family pets or companions for the homeless, safe and well alongside their owners, and supporting communities.
It has a pet refuge service, provides vet services to vulnerable owners and has a team of animal welfare officers who work with local residents helping local communities.
During the visit, the duchess was shown a family of five kittens and their mother being cared for by the charity, who had been brought in by a resident.
Wearing five-inch stiletto heels and her £24.99 H & M dress, Meghan also met many of the staff at Mayhew’s headquarters which it has occupied for more than 130 years.
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort played riverboat gambler in his first draft last season, wheeling and dealing picks during the first round at a dizzying pace.
This time around, he didn't need to get fancy.
The Cardinals selected receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. with the No. 4 overall pick in the NFL draft on Thursday night, hoping the Ohio State star can be the team's leading playmaker for quarterback Kyler Murray.
“Kyler’s awesome,” Harrison said. “You look at his record from high school and he’s always won, and that’s the kind of guy I want to play with. He’s just so dynamic of a quarterback and I just want to go in there and make his job easier.”
The Cardinals also took Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson with the No. 27 overall pick. The 6-foot-5, 296-pounder had 8 1/2 sacks in his final college season with the Tigers and was named first-team All-Southeastern Conference.
The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Harrison has drawn comparisons to Larry Fitzgerald, who was arguably the greatest player in the team's history after amassing more than 17,000 yards receiving over 17 seasons before retiring in 2020.
Ossenfort said he received multiple text messages from an excited Murray following the Harrison pick.
“With Marvin, it's maturity, accountability and dependability,” the GM said. “He checks all those boxes. He's been around football his whole life, and we're really excited about the way he approaches his job.”
Harrison has an impressive bloodline. He's the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison, though considerably bigger than his dad, possessing a rare combination of size, speed and athleticism. He caught 67 passes for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns in his final season with the Buckeyes.
The receiver said having a dad who knew about the NFL made the draft process much easier.
“I love where my body is right now,” Harrison said. “I love where I'm at going into the season, going into mini-camp, going into training camp."
Arizona was in a prime position to get one of the draft's top non-quarterbacks. The teams with the top three picks all needed QBs, but the Cardinals are set at the position with Murray, who has a $230.5 million, five-year deal that could keep him in Arizona through 2028.
Robinson's selection late in the first round was no surprise considering defensive line was an area of need.
“Versatility,” Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon said. “We're going to put him everywhere. Violent. Really good in the run and pass game.”
Robinson, who is a Michigan native, was one of the few players remaining in the NFL's green room for draft picks, but said he wasn't worried that he'd fall out of the first round.
“I wasn't antsy, I knew AZ was the one for me since the beginning of this process," Robinson said. "They were one of the first teams that met with me at the combine. One of the first teams that met with me at the Senior Bowl.”
It was the first two picks of a vital draft for the Cardinals, who have nine more picks over the next three days. Arizona's had a 4-13 record in each of the past two seasons.
Ossenfort chose to use the No. 4 pick instead of trading down for potentially more selections.
It was a different strategy from his first season with the club, when the Cardinals started with the No. 3 overall selection but made multiple trades on draft night before settling on the No. 6 pick, which was used to select offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr.
Johnson — who also played at Ohio State — started all 17 games at right tackle last season. Harrison said the two have texted back and forth over the past few months, excited about the possibility of playing together.
Harrison should also have an immediate impact, especially considering the Cardinals lack of elite receivers. Tight end Trey McBride had a breakout season in 2023 with 825 yards receiving and three touchdowns. Michael Wilson also had an encouraging rookie season with 565 yards receiving.
But the No. 1 receiver spot is up for grabs and the Cardinals certainly hope Harrison can seize it.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL
Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson poses with fans after being chosen by the Arizona Cardinals with the 27th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Missouri edge rusher Darius Robinson poses on the red carpet ahead of the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Missouri edge rusher Darius Robinson poses on the red carpet ahead of the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson walks on stage during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
FILE - Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson (6) plays against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game Nov. 24, 2023, in Fayetteville, Ark. The Arizona Cardinals selected Robinson in the NFL draft Thursday, April 25. (AP Photo/Michael Woods, FIle)
Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. celebrates with fans after being chosen by the Arizona Cardinals with the fourth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the Arizona Cardinals with the fourth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. walks on stage before the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. poses on the red carpet ahead of the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the Arizona Cardinals with the fourth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
