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Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, takes on new royal role and gets right to work

She wasted no time getting started after being named patron to four organizations that represent causes close to her heart.
/ Source: TODAY

The new year was already going to be a busy one for Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, but it just got a little busier as the newest royal was named patron to four very fitting organizations.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, arrives at St. Charles Hospital in west London to visit Smart Works, a charity to which she has become patron on January 10, 2019.Getty Images

On Thursday morning, just moments after that announcement was made, the duchess was already out and on the job.

Patronages allow royals to put a public spotlight on charities, service groups and other establishments that benefit from their attention.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, greets women outside of the Smart Works headquarters at St. Charles Hospital in west London.Getty Images

Among those the duchess now represents is Smart Works, an organization that helps women struggling from the effects of long-term unemployment find the right tools to ease their return to the workplace.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, smiles during her visit to Smart Works on January 10, 2019.Getty Images

During her visit to Smart Works at St. Charles Hospital in London, she met some of the women she hopes to help.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex
The former Meghan Markle picks out a bracelet during her visit to Smart Works.Getty Images

Dressed in a camel coat by Oscar de la Renta, a black knit dress from maternity label Hatch and diamond drop earrings from Kimai, the 37-year-old was hands-on as she worked with clients in need of wardrobe assistance and other services.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex
Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, gets to work at one of the four organizations she now represents. Getty Images
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex
The duchess looks at bags with Chair of Smart Works Lady Juliet Hughes-Hallett during her visit.Getty Images

Her own look for the day clearly represents her personal style well. In fact, it's so close to a coat-and-dress combo she wore on visit to Melbourne, Australia, with husband Prince Harry in October, that the ensemble could easily be mistaken for a royal repeat.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, shows off her signature style in Melbourne, Australia, on October 18, 2018, and in London on January 10, 2019.Getty Images

The cow print shoes by Gianvito Rossi also provided a fun bit of flare, and her Victoria Beckham black bag was reminiscent of a Queen Elizabeth classic.

Duchess Of Sussex Announces Four Royal Patronages
A closer look at the Gianvito Rossi cow print shoes worn by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.Karwai Tang / WireImage

While this is the first glimpse the public is getting of her association with Smart House, according to Kensington Palace, she's "held meetings and conducted private visits" with the group over the past year — as she has with her other three patronages, too.

The former actress will also represent the National Theatre, she'll act as an advocate for accessible education with the Association of Commonwealth Universities and, as an animal lover, she'll fit right in with Mayhew, a group that finds ways to reduce the number of animals in need in Britain.

She'll pay public visits to all of those groups in the coming weeks.