The charity, based in St Charles Hospital in north Kensington, west London, helps long-term unemployed and vulnerable women regain their confidence and gives them interview coaching.
Stylists help women pick out interview outfits and they can come back to add to their new work wardrobe when they find employment.
Cradling her baby bump, Meghan chatted with Patsy Wardally, before picking out a camel cape from Hobbs, a black bead bracelet tied with ribbon, which the duchess called “quirky”, some simple pearl earrings and a black handbag.
“You look amazing,” the duchess said before the pair embraced.
Mrs Wardally said she felt exhilarated to have met Meghan, who she said had a “lovely little bump”.
The mother-of-three gave up work more than a decade ago to look after her autistic daughter and came to the charity for help when she decided she wanted to return to the world of work.
She started a customer service job at Gatwick Airport in April after Smart Work gave her the confidence to go to the interview, and passed her probation period in November.
Asked how she felt in the new outfit, she said: “More confident, more beautiful, I looked in the mirror and I know it’s me, but the difference in my esteem and everything has just shot through the roof.”
The duchess wore a black figure-hugging midi dress from Hatch, a tan coat by Oscar de la Renta, Kimai earrings and black and white patterned shoes as she carried out her first royal engagement as patron.