Meghan Markle concludes tour with empowering speech: 'Everyone deserves to be heard'

Meghan Markle has made a motivational speech on the final day of the royal tour.

The Duchess of Sussex, 38, spoke today at the Creative Industries and Business Reception at the British High Commissioner’s residence on day 10 of the South Africa royal tour.

She was joined at the engagement by Prince Harry, 35, who rejoined his wife last night after the couples’ programmes split from day three of the tour.

Dressed in a midi-length trench coat dress, Markle made a moving speech about making a change in the world, as well as valuing and listening to others.

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Addressing the crowds, she recalled “feeling despair” as a young girl after “watching TV and seeing what was happening in the world”.

Later on, she encouraged people to acknowledge their power “to change things”, adding – regardless of gender, race, faith, class or status – that “everyone has value, and everyone deserves to be heard and respected”.

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A video and full transcript of the speech was shared in a post on the official Sussex Royal Instagram account this afternoon, to some 9.6 million followers.

The speech is one of several empowering speeches the Duchess has made during her time on the royal tour.

In a round table discussion yesterday during a visit to a college in Johannesburg, she referenced a Martin Luther King quote: “Take the first step... you don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”

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Tour aside, the duchess also made a speech at the launch of her charity fashion line Smart Works on September 12.

She told crowds that she was looking to “transform the idea of charity to community”, and to help women be part of other women’s “success stories”.

The duchess’ humanitarian work dates back to long before she was a royal.

According to the Royal.uk website, she was formerly a UN Women's Advocate for Women’s Political Participation and Leadership and then in 2016 she was the Global Ambassador for World Vision, travelling to the country in February 2018. Meghan and Harry met through a mutual friend in July 2016.

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As part of the final day of the royal tour, Meghan and Harry met with Mrs Graça Machel, widow of the late Nelson Mandela.

Later today the pair will attend an afternoon reception to celebrate the UK and South Africa’s important business and investment relationship. They will then conclude their royal tour when they attend an audience with President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa and his wife Dr Tshepo Motsepe.

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