Meghan Markle Wears Special Letterman Jacket Given to Her on Last Solo Outing as a Working Royal

The jacket was given to the Duchess of Sussex during one of her final official engagements in the U.K.

Meghan and Harry's brooklyn outing
The Duchess of Sussex visits with students at The Marcy Lab School in Brooklyn, New York, on Oct. 10. Photo:

Lee Morgan for The Archewell Foundation

Meghan Markle is showing her school spirit!

The Duchess of Sussex wore a special letterman jacket during her visit to The Marcy Lab School in Brooklyn on Tuesday. The jacket was gifted to her by a group of inner-city students during one of her last solo engagements as a working royal in March 2020. 

During her surprise visit to Robert Clack School in east London ahead of International Women’s Day in 2020, the debate squad gave the Duchess of Sussex, 41, the jacket. Meghan also gave a speech to the 700 students — and there was a memorable moment that followed when a young student went viral for paying Meghan a compliment on stage in front of the entire school: "She really is beautiful, innit?”

For Tuesday's outing alongside her husband Prince Harry, Meghan paired the jacket with her black Frame skinny jeans (which she also wore during last month’s Invictus Games!), a simple black shirt and heels. 

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex smiles after being gifted a jacket from the 'Senior Debate Squad' during a visit to Robert Clack School in Dagenham ahead of International Wome
Meghan Markle smiles after being gifted a jacket from the 'Senior Debate Squad' during a visit to Robert Clack School in Dagenham on March 6, 2020 in London, England.

Ben Stansall-WPA Pool/Getty

The couple paid a visit to The Marcy Lab School — an innovative alternative to college program — to mark World Mental Health Day. The school was founded by two teachers, Maya Bhattacharjee-Marcantonio and Reuben Ogbonna, trying to change the way young black and brown students get top jobs in the tech sector.

Speaking to a small group of students, Harry talked about the importance of relying on one another.

“Everyone’s got their own story, a reason for being here, your life is still going to be filled with complications and challenges. And if one of you starts to go quiet, doesn’t show up, you need to find out why," he said. “And remember to have fun! It has to be fun."

"What excites you the most and scares you the most about the online world?” Harry then asked the students as both he and Meghan listened.

Meghan and Harry's brooklyn outing
Meghan Markle chats with students at The Marcy Lab School on Oct. 10.

Lee Morgan for The Archewell Foundation

Meghan then said: “I think my husband was asking about online spaces because it’s a place where so much community can be built, but there’s also so much vulnerability. There's a lot of saturation, and as parents, we can be hopeful knowing that your bright minds [are at work], knowing that they will be seen, valued and growing in the right direction. And that’s why it’s so important what you’re doing at The Marcy Lab.”

In January 2023, Meghan and Harry's Archewell Foundation provided a grant to The Marcy Lab School, and they have run insight sessions with fellows and their parents during the year. Their visit on Tuesday coincides with Meghan and Harry’s work via their Archewell Foundation to build a better online world. 

Meghan and Harry's brooklyn outing
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visit The Marcy Lab School in Brooklyn on Oct. 10.

Lee Morgan for The Archewell Foundation

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Later in the afternoon, Meghan and Harry will host their first in-person Archewell event. 'The Archewell Foundation Parents’ Summit: Mental Wellness in a Digital Age' will give voice to families who are passionate about building a safer online world for children and teens, PEOPLE exclusively revealed last week.

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