The Duchess of Sussex spoke passionately about gender equality on Monday night while dressed stylishly in all-red.
Meghan, 41, who was present at the One Young World summit, delivered the opening keynote speech at Manchester’s The Bridgewater Hall.
“You are the future… you are the present,” the mother of two told the young people who would become world leaders during her speech.
“Right now, around the world, you are the ones driving the necessary and positive change. And for that, I am so appreciative to be with you today “Added she.
Meghan mentioned her “pinch me moment,” when she was first asked to serve as a counsellor for One Young World in 2014.
“I, the girl from Suits, was there. I was surrounded by people I had a great deal of respect and admiration for, including world leaders, humanitarians, prime ministers, and activists. I was able to enter and take a seat at the table.
“I think I even saved my tiny paper place-marker with my name on it because I was so overwhelmed by the experience.
The truth is, I wasn’t certain that I belonged, so I just needed proof—proof that I was there and that I belonged.
Duchess Meghan chose a striking red Valentino suit with wide-leg pants and a matching long-sleeved blouse to make an impression. She styled her hair into a sleek ponytail and accessorised with gold hoop earrings. Harry, on the other hand, looked particularly sharp in his navy suit and crisp white shirt.
Earlier in the evening, Meghan grinned and followed the duke through the crowded auditorium while holding hands.
The two joined One Young World counselors and took seats in the front row to watch the flag bearers proudly display the flags of more than 200 nations.
Meghan and Harry will have the chance to interact with a group of summit participants doing “outstanding work on gender equality” at the event, which brings together young leaders from more than 190 nations.
The Daily Mail reports that the couple arrived in Britain on Saturday and is currently residing at Frogmore Cottage, a residence on the Queen’s Windsor Estate.
The two were seen this afternoon at London Euston after traveling 27 miles in a hybrid electric Range Rover from their home in Windsor. They were captured on camera walking through a side entrance to the station.
A spokesperson for the couple said at the time that “Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are delighted to visit with several charities close to their hearts in early September.” Their return to the UK was announced back in August.
Meghan and Harry will travel to Germany for the Invictus Games Dusseldorf 2023 One Year To Go event after their brief visit to Manchester. They are scheduled to return to the UK in time for Harry’s speech at the WellChild Awards in London on Thursday.
Since attending the Service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul’s Cathedral over the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend, the Sussexes have not made a public appearance in the UK.
They traveled to Manchester after the former Suits actress said in an interview with The Cut Magazine in New York that forgiving takes “a lot of effort” and hinted that she can “say anything.”
Before they retired as senior working royals, Meghan continued, she and Harry were “upsetting the dynamic of the hierarchy just by existing.”
The royal was informed that he was no longer eligible for taxpayer-funded official armed police bodyguards, and the couple reportedly coordinated with event organizers to put security measures in place.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed that none of its officers were associated with the event and stated that security had been “privately sourced.”
Photo: Getty Images
The duke, who retired from senior royal status in January 2020, is suing the Home Office because he was not allowed to pay for police protection for himself and his family while returning from a trip to the US.
He is contesting the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures’ (Ravec) February 2020 decision regarding his security after learning he would no longer receive the “same degree” of personal protective security when visiting. Ravec is a body that falls under the purview of the Home Office.
