Meghan Markle has honored her ‘beloved’ friend and dog trainer, Oli Juste, by opening a new wing at a London animal charity.

In a personal video message, Meghan commemorated the animal behaviorist, celebrating the dedication of a new rescue wing named after him.

Credit: MAYHEW ANIMAL HOME

The Duchess of Sussex’s recording was played to attendees, including actors Nigel Harman, Rula Lenska, Beatie Edney, and Laura Aikman, during the unveiling of the Oli Juste Wing at Mayhew’s center in north London on Wednesday.

In January 2022, Oli passed away suddenly. The Mayhew organization acknowledged a «generous» donation from Meghan, made through her Archewell Foundation, which facilitated the refurbishment of the new kennels to continue Oli’s legacy.

In her message, the Duchess expressed, “A heartfelt thank you to the wonderful team at Mayhew who have worked tirelessly to bring this dream to life. It was so important to find a way to celebrate Oli’s memory in a manner that he would have loved. Mayhew is a beacon of hope for those in need and a shining example of what can be achieved when we work together.”

A statement on Meghan’s sussex.com website highlighted her close bond with Oli, noting: “They shared many things throughout their friendship, among which was a deep commitment to animal welfare and a love of rescue dogs.”

The statement continued: “The Oli Juste Wing is a testament to his unwavering love and commitment to our furry friends and will improve the lives of countless animals, reminding us all of the power of compassion, connection, and care.”

Over the years, the Duchess has adopted several rescue dogs, including a beagle named Guy and a black Labrador named Pula.

Oli and his fiancé, Rob, helped care for Guy when Meghan moved to the UK, assisting the dog in his recovery from an accident.

Meghan shared that she was left “heartbroken” by Oli’s passing.