Meghan Markle made her first public speech since becoming independent of the royal family, making her words that much sharper and more impactful.
She spoke candidly, encouraging people to challenge the status quo and established societal norms, and urged women to speak out against powerful people and establishments, even if it's "uncomfortable".
It was a truly powerful speech, and worth the watch.
She made her first public speech since breaking free of the royal family, and her words cut like a knife — in the best way imaginable.
After being mercilessly bullied and torn apart by the British press for two years, it came as no surprise that Meghan longed for some normalcy.
At the start of the year, the couple announced in a statement that they would be stepping down from their royal duties.
While speaking at the dinner for supporters of Sentebale in London, Harry addressed his and Meghan's transition.
"And I know I haven’t always gotten it right but as far as this goes, there really was no other option. What I want to make clear is, we’re not walking away, and we certainly aren’t walking away from you"
He, Meghan, and their son Archie, initially moved to Canada after stepping down.
But not long after, they moved to Los Angeles instead — likely to aid the reconstruction of Meghan's acting career.
“Those in the halls and corridors and places of power, from lawmakers to world leaders and executives," she said.
“And here’s the thing, they know this."
She went on to explain that it is the younger generation that is going to make an impact and cultivate positive change.
“Girl Up members are organizing Black Lives Matter protests around the world ... You’re reforming the criminal justice system, you’re telling your school boards ‘We need more mental health resources for all ages.'"
She then gave a shout-out to New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, for “swiftly and boldly” responding to COVID-19, and WNBA player, Maya Moore, who sat out for more than an entire season in order to protest someone who was wrongfully convicted of a crime and served 23 years in prison before being acquitted.
"Another thing about those lawmakers and leaders and executives I mentioned earlier ... they don’t listen until they have to,” she said.
“The status quo is easy to excuse, and it’s hard to break," she said. "But it will pull tightest right before snapping.”
“Women have always historically gotten a lot of, ‘Well that isn’t how it’s done,’ or ‘Yeah, that’s an idea, but you know what, we’re gonna do this instead,'" she said.
She concluded by urging the women in the audience to keep pushing and fighting for change.
"Because it’s only in that discomfort that we actually create the conditions to reimagine our standards, our policies, our leadership.”
Watch her full speech here.
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