Kate Middleton has an unlikely connection to Meghan Markle's Smart Works fashion line
![Kate Middleton has an unlikely connection to Meghan Markle's Smart Works collection [Image: Getty]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/hWywArzvxIgNfsudKUV20A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02Nzc-/https://media-mbst-pub-ue1.s3.amazonaws.com/creatr-uploaded-images/2019-09/d10ec6a0-d79b-11e9-bdff-83130b792ae9)
Much has been made of how Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle will no longer be working directly together after the split of the Royal Foundation earlier this year.
But the Duchess of Cambridge still has a surprising connection to sister-in-law Duchess of Sussex’s latest cause.
Earlier this week, Prince Harry’s wife unveiled her much-anticipated fashion line for charity Smart Works.
She has collaborated with a range of clothing brands - including Marks & Spencer and John Lewis - in order to raise money for the organisation, which helps long-term unemployed and vulnerable women return to employment.
![The Duchess of Sussex launched her charity 'Smart Set' fashion line on Thursday [Image: Getty]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/OHiCj8CMygxVQa60qOxxmw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTEzNjk-/https://media-mbst-pub-ue1.s3.amazonaws.com/creatr-uploaded-images/2019-09/4aa7a230-d7a0-11e9-bc8f-9b3340c18a93)
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And it turns out Kate, 37, has an unlikely link to one of them - high street chain Jigsaw.
The royal mum-of-three used to work as an accessories buyer at the British company back in 2006.
As a 24-year-old St Andrew’s graduate dating Prince William - who she would eventually marry in 2011 - she is understood to have personally approached founder Belle Robinson for a job.
Despite leaving the role after less than a year for “some time to herself”, it appears her work went down well.
READ MORE: Meghan Markle's Smart Works fashion sold on eBay for three times the original price
"I have to say I was so impressed by her," Robinson said in an interview with the Evening Standard in 2008.
"She sat in the kitchen at lunchtime and chatted with everyone from the van drivers to the accounts girls. She wasn't precious."
At the launch on Thursday, Meghan wore two items from her new ‘Smart Set’ collection - a £120 pair of black Jigsaw trousers along with a £125 white shirt by her friend Misha Nonoo - as well as a tan Ralph Lauren belt and a pair of brown Jimmy Choo heels.
The Duchess also wore a gold bracelet from Princess Diana’s collection - as well as £115 one purchased from London-based jeweller Pippa Small.
For every item sold from the ‘Smart Set’ collection in collaborating stores, one will be donated to Smart Works for underprivileged women to access.
