Courtesy the Duke and Duchess of Sussex
Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex made her final solo royal engagement Friday with students at a high school in much the same way she distinguished herself since joining the Royal Family: promoting gender equality, women’s empowerment and education, and encouraging young people to strive to be the very best they can be.
In a surprise visit to Robert Clack Upper School in Dagenham, Essex, East of London, the Duchess told the students, “No matter how small you might feel, how low you may feel on the ladder or the totem pole, no matter what color you are, no matter what gender you are—you have a voice, and you certainly have the right to speak up for what is right.” Fifty years ago, British women fought and achieved equal pay in Dagenham at the Ford Motor Plant. Meghan’s visit to a Dagenham school is a nod to that history ahead of International Women’s Day this Sunday, March 8.
The Sussexes returned to the UK from their base on Vancouver Island in Canada to participate in a final round of engagements before they step back as senior working members of the Royal Family on March 31.
“When we thought about what I wanted to do for International Women’s Day this year, for me, it was incredibly important to be with the women of our future,” Meghan told the students.
The Duchess, who has served as an inspiration to young and old throughout the Commonwealth and has made the monarchy more relatable, received a rousing welcome from the students, many of whom couldn’t contain their excitement. Eleven-year-old Fiona Addai presented Meghan with a bouquet of flowers upon her arrival. “She is my idol,” Addai said. “When I grow up—she is black, and you don’t normally get that inside the Royal Family—she’s taught me no matter what color you are, I am able to do anything any other person can. She’s helped me believe in myself.”
As royal patron of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (one of the first patronages Meghan announced as a new member of the Royal Family) and Vice President of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, Meghan and her husband Prince Harry have been tireless advocates for education, opportunity, and programs that provide young people with the tools to succeed. The choice of a school for Duchess Meghan’s final solo engagement was apt. She encouraged the students to pursue their dreams and reminded them that nothing can hold them back.
Carolyn Durand
Upon arrival, Meghan met with young pupils learning about female poets. She told one student who had been moved by Maya Angelou, “She’s incredible isn’t she? Have you seen her work before?” before heading off to meet with the Debate society who were prepping for the Model United Nations. They were discussing equality and women’s health, all issues Meghan has been passionate about.
“I’m just so proud to be able to witness so much of this activism and this energy that you have in this room because it’s how we’re going to see an impact on the world that we need,” she told the students.
The entire school gathered in the assembly room to bid Meghan a final farewell, where she made remarks encouraging the teenagers to have the confidence to find their own path.
“Your school mantra, as you all know, is ‘Excellence for All, Excellence from All,’” Meghan began. “So, how does that apply in your minds to International Women’s Day? I think in many ways, it’s very much the same thing: this idea of excellence for all and from all, equality for all and from all.”
“In many societies, it doesn’t matter where you are, it’s very easy to sometimes compartmentalize or silo this idea of International Women’s Day solely being about women. But it’s not; it’s about all of us.”
“I encourage and empower each of you to really stand in your truth, to stand for what is right—to continue to respect each other…. Let’s all rally together to make International Women’s Day something that is not just on Sunday, but frankly, feels like every day of the year,” she finished.
Before departing to cheers and a standing ovation, Duchess Meghan posed for a photo with all 700 children holding their forearms parallel for the Each for Equal Campaign (#eachforequal) to signify the International Women’s Day symbol for equality.
Courtesy the Duke and Duchess of Sussex
Courtesy Duke and Duchess of Sussex
The visit to mark International Women’s Day caps a very busy few days for Her Royal Highness. The Duchess is committed to carrying on her impactful humanitarian work, including supporting her patronages despite the decision to step back as a senior member of “The Firm” with Prince Harry.
Meghan made a private pilgrimage on Thursday, stopping by the National Theatre, a patronage she took over from Her Majesty the Queen in 2019. She explored the Immersive Storytelling Studio there.
The couple are carrying out a string of engagements before they step back from royal duties on March 31.
She and Prince Harry made their first joint appearance since returning from Vancouver Island at the Endeavour Fund Awards on Thursday night. The ceremony recognizes the heroism of members of the military community.
Earlier in the day, Harry and Meghan attended a private lunch at the Goring Hotel, a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace where their offices are located. The couple has been staying at their Frogmore Cottage home. It is understood that given the Sussexes’ very busy schedule, 10-month-old Archie has remained in Canada.
Tonight, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended the Mountbatten Festival of Music at Royal Albert Hall.
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On Monday, Harry and Meghan will attend the Commonwealth Day service with Queen Elizabeth II and other members of the Royal Family. It will be the first time Meghan will see some members of the family since Prince Harry met with Prince William, Prince Charles, and Queen Elizabeth at Sandringham to hash out the couple’s exit strategy and new role away from the spotlight.
So what’s next? With a 10-month-old son who Meghan revealed has “started trying to walk,” the Sussexes certainly have their hands full.
“Moving forward, the focus for the couple goes back to preparations for their non-profit organization and numerous charitable endeavors—Harry busy with the next stages of Travalyst and Meghan working on at least two new projects, “ a royal insider shared with ELLE. “They’re stepping into unchartered territory but couldn’t be more excited about the year ahead. It’s the new chapter they’ve been longing for.”