Meghan Markle's Sweatshirt Prompted Early End to Maternity Leave for Business Owner: 'Game-Changing' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Meghan Markle.Photo:Meghan/Instagram

Meghan/Instagram

Meghan Markle’s latest Instagram post included quite a surprise for a Chicago business owner.

On Feb. 4, the Duchess of Sussex shared a selfie-style video on Instagram in which she shared her excitement about receivingBillie Eilishmerchandise fora teen whose home was damaged in the recent Los Angeles fires. Meghan, 43, was sporting a black crewneck sweatshirt featuring the names of her two children —Prince Archie, 5, andPrincess Lilibet, 3 — stitched along the collar. The product was fromClub Chainstitch, a woman-owned small business that uses a 1920s chainstitch machine to create custom products.

Owner Ann Leachman tells PEOPLE she became aware of the Duchess of Sussex’s fashion choice when a friend sent her the video asking if it was from her company.

“I was so stunned. I had to do a double take and almost didn’t believe it was one of ours, even though the writing on her shirt is in my literal handwriting,” Leachman says.

Leachman says it was a “regular, random order” made through the shop in 2022. However, Meghan’s name was “nowhere on the order, so I thought nothing of it and never put the connection together with her children’s names as the text choice. That explains how surprised I was to see her wearing it over two years later!”

“I’m not sure if it was a gift or if Meghan ordered it herself,” she adds. “Either Meghan loves to support small women-owned handmade businesses or she has great friends in her life who do. Likely both!”

Leachman was taking a break from her shop for maternity leave after welcoming her first child in November when the news of Meghan’s support broke.

She expressed excitement on social media, writing, “What a way to come back from maternity leave! I had planned to keep the shop closed until next week but decided to open up early because this is the coolest thing ever!”

Ann Leachman reacts to Meghan Markle wearing a product from her shop on Feb. 5, 2025.Ann Leachman/Club Chainstitch

Ann Leachman/Club Chainstitch

Meghan’scustom sweatshirt sells for $73, with buyers able to personalize their design with one to three words, symbols such as a heart or moon and a choice of where to put their text on the clothing. Club Chainstitch also offers t-shirts, hats and bags, all customized at a Chicago studio.

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Meghan Markle attends the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Gala on October 05, 2024.Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty

Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty

Meghan recently returned to Instagram ahead of her new Netflix seriesWith Love, Meghan. The series was originally scheduled to debut on Jan. 15, but it was postponed to March 4 due to the Los Angeles fires with Netflix’s support.

Click hereto learn more about how to help the victims of the L.A. fires.

source: people.com