Advertisement

Meghan gets message across: Archewell partners with company behind sexist advert 28 years on

Watch: Meghan Markle discusses birth of upcoming daughter

Meghan Markle's activism may have had another full circle moment as she announces a new partnership with a company she wrote a protest letter to more than 28 years ago.

When Meghan's relationship with Prince Harry was revealed, footage also came to light of an 11-year-old Meghan being interviewed by Nick News anchor Linda Ellerbee, after she forced change at Procter and Gamble.

Meghan had been frustrated by the voiceover on the company's advert for Ivory dishwasher soap, as it stated "women all over America are fighting greasy pots and pans"

Encouraged by her father Thomas Markle Snr, Meghan wrote to them and they changed 'women' to 'people'.

At the time, Meghan said: "I don’t think it’s right for children to grow up thinking these things, that mum does everything."

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - OCTOBER 28:  Meghan, Duchess of Sussex addresses a reception hosted by the Governor-General celebrating the 125th anniversary of women's suffrage in New Zealand at Government House on October 28, 2018 in Wellington, New Zealand. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand.  (Photo by Kirsty Wigglesworth - Pool /Getty Images)
Meghan making a speech about women's suffrage in New Zealand at Government House in October 2018. (Kirsty Wigglesworth - Pool /Getty Images)

Now at 39, Meghan and her husband Prince Harry have announced they will be working with P&G through their foundation Archewell - an issues of equality are at the top of the list.

A press release on the Archewell website said the couple is working with the company because of "shared values" - so Meghan's message has been heard nearly three decades on.

The release states: "Archewell Foundation believes that with community, and through compassionate service to others, we can unleash systemic cultural change. In service of doing this, and building more compassionate communities, Archewell Foundation announced a multi-year global partnership today with Procter & Gamble."

Read more: How Prince Harry became a mental health champion

Meghan also worked with them back in July as she spoke at a virtual summit which was sponsored by them.

On gender equality, Archewell and P&G will work with Girls inc and the National Women's Law Center to "elevate the voices of adolescent girls to ensure their point of view and lived experience is heard at the tables where decisions are made".

They also said they would work with Promundo to "underscore the importance of engaging men and boys in the drive for gender equity throughout society".

The announcement follows Meghan's message to Harvest Home as Mother's Day was marked in the US, sending a year's supply of nappies and cleaning products to the charity, which supports pregnant women facing homelessness.

The partnership between Archewell and P&G also pledges to look at "building a better online environment that unlocks positive, compassionate, and creative spaces", and "leverag[ing] the platform of Para sport to increase visibility and inclusivity".

Prince Harry, 36, is the founder of the Invictus Games, which brings together injured and wounded ex-military personnel and veterans to play in para sports at locations around the world.

The 2020 games has been delayed twice, and will now take place in 2022 in The Hague, Netherlands.

Watch: Bidens, Harry and Jennifer Lopez featured at 'Vax Live' concert