Meghan Markle: ‘Feminism Is About Fairness’

The Duchess of Sussex delivered the kind of feminist speech we’ve all been waiting for. Her third and final speaking engagement of the Royal Tour, celebrated New Zealand’s 125th anniversary of women’s suffrage. At a reception at Government House in Wellington hosted by New Zealand Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy, Markle spoke about the importance of feminism as a women’s issue, but also as a force of equality for all people, including those marginalized by race, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation. “In the words of your suffragette Kate Shepherd, ‘All that separates whether race, creed, or sex, is inhuman, and must be overcome.’”

Royal commentator Omid Scobie, posted a clip and full transcript of the speech below.

Now we just wish we were a fly on the wall to hear what new mum Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who gave birth to her daughter in June, might have said to Markle off the record. Ardern made history this September when she brought her three-month-old baby to the United Nations general assembly meeting before giving a speech at the Nelson Mandela peace summit. While she spoke, Ardern’s partner Clarke Gayford held the three-month-old baby on his lap. Here’s hoping we might see Harry doing the same thing for Markle in some months to come.