The Duchess of Sussex has penned an open letter sharing her "heartbreak" after the death of a beloved friend who first introduced her to the dog shelter she became a patron of.
In the letter Meghan Markle explains how her "dear friend" Oli Juste - who worked as an animal behaviourist - introduced her to animal welfare charity Mayhew.
Meghan went on to become the London-based charity's first patron in 2019. The charity works globally to "improve the lives of cats and dogs ".
She also announced that she has now left her role with the charity by mutual agreement after three years.
In an open letter, Meghan wrote of her friendship with dog trainer Juste and how they became pals.
She said: “We shared, amongst many things, a commitment to animal welfare, and a deep love of rescue dogs.
“In fact, it was Oli and his fiancé Rob who helped care for my rescue dog, Guy, when I had just moved to the UK and he was recovering from a debilitating accident. They loved him as though he was their own.”
The Duchess continued, saying she's been left "heartbroken and reflective" by his passing, The Independent. She added that Rob's legacy to dogs is to "just love them. Especially those left behind of forgotten".
Mayhew's CEO Howard Bridges said Meghan has made a donation in memory of her "much-loved friend".
On her departure from Mayhew, the duchess said: "Though my time as patron of Mayhew has come to a close, my unwavering support has not. "I encourage each of you to support in whatever way you are able.
"The emotional support of a rescue animal is unparalleled-as you'll soon realise: it is not you who saves them, it is they who save you."
Juste - who appeared on Channel 4's Puppy School - died on January 15 this year.
His fiancé Rob shared news of his death on Instagram : “It’s with great sadness that Oli passed away on Saturday (15/01/22) with me his fiancé Rob, sister Helene, brother Michel and my mother Jenny by his side. He had been surrounded by friends and the incredible NHS staff at St.Richards Hospital ITU, Chichester.”
Rob went on: "Oli was and remains an inspiration and thought changer within the worlds of both dogs and humans and his special connection with animals was evident.
"Even though I find it hard to fathom what has happened, I take solace in the fact that, up to his last breath and beyond, Oli was and is helping people by being an organ donor, so there is the possibility of helping people beyond the end of his life."
Last year Meghan's friends revealed that she and Harry left her beloved pooch Bogart behind in Canada because he and Harry don't get along.
Insiders say dog lover Meghan was in bits when she chose to leave her first "baby" behind when taking up residence with her new husband Prince Harry .
The Sussexes are currently living with Bogart's brother beagle, Guy, and a black labrador, Pula, adopted by the couple shortly before they stepped back from royal duties.
While his brother enjoys the family life, labrador-german shepherd cross Bogart is "staying with friends" in Toronto.
The family split is not without regrets, reports say, and Meghan, 40, was said to be heartbroken over leaving him behind back in 2017.
