A food bank volunteer who gained social media attention for her composed reaction to Meghan Markle during a royal visit to Nottingham is a millionaire businesswoman, it has been revealed. Helen Teasdale, 71, appeared to be unfazed by the Duchess of Sussex's questions while demonstrating how to pack a donation bag, in an exchange widely described as 'performative'.
Footage from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's visit to the food poverty action group Himmah in Nottingham showed Teasdale telling the duchess that the task was 'not very difficult' as she held up a bag for Meghan to fill. When Meghan asked if she should move to another station, Teasdale shook her head and instructed her to take the bag and follow. The exchange led to widespread speculation on social media that the Duchess had been put in her place by a local resident.
However, Teasdale is a wealthy former solicitor who co-founded the award-winning Springhead Brewery. She lives with her husband, Richard Scragg, in a large Victorian mansion in Nottingham. The brewery, known for its ales supplied to Tesco and JD Wetherspoon, has a signature beer named 'Roaring Meg,' which is a citrus-flavoured IPA named after a Civil War cannon.
Teasdale remains on the board of Springhead Brewery, whose logo is 'Love at First Pint.' Their son, Keir Teasdale, is the head brewer, and their daughter Eve is also involved in the business. The family resides in a five-bedroom home valued at approximately £1.6 million, located on a private estate a short distance from the Himmah food bank where Teasdale volunteers once a week.
A friend of Teasdale described her as a cheerful and chatty person who enjoys her volunteer work. A neighbor confirmed that Teasdale has lived on the estate for a long time, noting that her house has been on the market for some time, possibly at a high asking price.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's visit to Himmah was part of their joint UK tour, their first in six years. The couple participated in community cooking activities and helped prepare packages for those in need. For Meghan, the visit held personal significance as she was reunited with women from the Hubb Community Kitchen, a project she helped launch after the Grenfell Tower fire.
A manager at Himmah stated that they were unaware of any awkwardness during the interaction and expressed gratitude for Teasdale's consistent support. The volunteer visits Himmah whenever she has free time, typically at the beginning of the week.
The visit by Harry and Meghan, who stepped down as working royals in 2020, comes amid continued scrutiny of their activities as private citizens. A Buckingham Palace statement previously clarified that their personal endeavors do not represent the Royal Family.