The Duchess of Sus𝓈ℯ𝓍 joined her newly-launched initiative, The Welcome Project, in Southern California for the wholesome event

Meghan Markle got busy in the kitchen for a good cause over the weekend!

On Saturday, the Duchess of Sus𝓈ℯ𝓍 joined her Southern California Welcome Project initiative for an evening of cooking and storytelling. The event took place in collaboration with Mina’s List, a non-profit organization that aims to provide resources, support, and tools that empower women political leaders and women human rights defenders. (Mina’s List is a partner of the Archewell Foundation.)

MATT SAYLESMeghan learned how to cook traditional Afghan food during alongside 15 women during the evening event.

In newly released photos, Meghan was all smiles, wearing a black sleeveless tank and an Archewell Foundation apron from Hedley & Bennett, as she gathered with a group of 15 women to cook traditional Afghan food. Following meal, the women sat down to discuss their personal stories and how the group has lent their support to them.

Late last year, the Sus𝓈ℯ𝓍es unveiled The Welcome Project—a new key initiative of their Archewell Foundation inspired by the Hubb Community Kitchen that Meghan supported in the UK. According to the Archewell Initiative report, the program supports “women-led programming for recently resettled Afghan women to help build more inclusive and connected communities.” There are currently 11 active Welcome Projects across the U.S., including the SoCal branch that Meghan visited.

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Meghan’s new initiative was inspired by the Hubb Community Kitchen, a UK-based non-profit she often visited while still a working royal.

This marked Meghan’s first appearance since King Charles’s cancer news. Buckingham Palace announced last week that the King was diagnosed with a form of cancer after he underwent a scheduled treatment for an enlarged prostate. They did not specify the type of cancer, only sharing that it wasn’t prostate cancer and that he “remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible. His Majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer.”

The Duchess of Sus𝓈ℯ𝓍’s cooking event also came just a few days after Prince Harry made a surprise appearance in Las Vegas at the NFL Honors. Later this week, Meghan and Prince Harry are expected to spend three days in British Columbia to celebrate one year until the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025. Perhaps in advance of their trip, today Prince Harry and Meghan relaunched their website to Sus𝓈ℯ𝓍.com.