Meghan Markle's inspirational banana messages branded 'offensive' by sex worker

Meghan Markle’s visit to a charity for sex workers last week was widely heralded as ‘inspirational’.

During a visit to Bristol on Friday, the Duke and Duchess stopped at One25, a charity specialising in helping women to break free from street sex work, addiction and other life-controlling issues.

The project provides women with practical and emotional support, including expert advice and crisis care to hot showers and lunch.

While meeting volunteers and preparing the food packages, Meghan suggested writing positive messages on the bananas, such as ‘You are brave,’ ‘You are strong,’ and ‘You are loved.’

The Duchess took inspiration from a canteen manager in the US, who wrote affirmations on bananas to make school children feel empowered.

However, one of the sex workers due to be handed one of the bananas told The Sun the message was offensive.

“People out here struggle to eat and sleep and she gifts us some words on a piece of fruit.

“She has the means to help us more than that. It’s offensive, you know.”

But One25’s CEO Anna Smith told BAZAAR.com it was a moment she will never forget.

“That really touched me—and I’m not even a royalist,” Smith says.

“She was just watching the food being packed up and suddenly decided she wanted to write these beautiful messages on every banana they had there.

“She had clearly listened and heard what we are all about—that we don’t judge, we simply offer the service and unconditional love. She totally got it.”

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