The Duchess of Sussex said she was “heartbroken and reflective” after dog behaviorist Oli Juste’s death on January 15—and said that his legacy would be the lesson that dogs need love.
Juste helped her beagle, named Guy, after a “debilitating accident” at the time she moved to the U.K. and also put her in touch with dogs charity the Mayhew, which she became patron of in 2019.
To pay tribute to the animal expert she sent an open letter to the organization, which also confirmed her time as royal patron has come to an end.
Meghan wrote: “On January 15, 2022, my beloved friend Oli tragically and very suddenly passed away. It has left me, and so many others, heartbroken and reflective—knowing that the legacy he leaves for our furry friends is beautifully simple: just love them.
“Especially those left behind or forgotten. In his memory, we will be creating the Oli Juste wing at Mayhew, to shelter the animals who may have a harder time finding their forever homes. Because much like Oli, they will never be forgotten, and they will always be loved.
“I was introduced to Mayhew by my dear friend, animal behaviorist, Oli Juste. 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 U.K. and he was recovering from a debilitating accident. They loved him as though he was their own.”
Meghan became royal patron of the Mayhew in 2019, one of just a handful of organizations she performed the role for. She was the charity’s first patron.
The separation cuts another tie to Meghan’s royal life as it was one of a small handful of her patronages.
Howard Bridges, Mayhew’s chief executive, said: “Although we have mutually agreed to end the patronage, as a committed rescue pet parent, the Duchess will continue to support Mayhew and champion our ambitions.
“The Duchess has generously made a donation in memory of her much-loved friend Oli Juste, the well-known dog trainer and behaviorist, and we are naming a wing in his honor at our London rehoming center.
“It has been an incredible privilege for Mayhew to have worked closely with Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex, since 2019 when she became our Royal patron for a three-year term.”
A statement on Juste’s Instagram account on January 19 read: “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.
“Our beloved dog Bernard was even able to say goodbye and share a special moment with him.”
