Meghan Markle speaks about her race for the first time as a royal telling South African teens ‘I’m here as a woman of colour and as your sister’
MEGHAN MARKLE told teenagers today in a township “I’m here as a woman of colour and as your sister” during the South Africa royal trip.
The Duchess of Sussex spoke to the youngsters on the first day of the visit with Prince Harry and baby Archie.
The royal couple were visiting a township near Cape Town — their first stop on a ten-day African tour — where they were greeted with a lively party and plenty of hugs and high fives.
In a powerful speech to the hosts, Meghan, 38, said: “May I just say that while I am here with my husband as a member of The Royal Family, I want you to know that for me I am here with you as a mother, as a wife, as a woman, as a woman of colour and as your sister.
“Please know that my husband and I have been closely following what you’ve been experiencing here — as best we can from afar.
“But now that we are with you, we are eager to learn and see first-hand the work that you’re doing, the vital work that you’re doing.
“And that everything that is being done on the ground is making the great change that you not only need but that you deserve.”
At the township of Nyanga, they were greeted with female dances in traditional costume, musicians playing and ecstatic youngsters waving their national flag.
The couple hugged local people young and old who they were giving them an extra warm welcome.
Within hours of touching down in South Africa with baby Archie, Harry, 35, and Meghan were learning some new dance moves.
Soon Harry was engaged in a spot of “dad dancing” as he joined in with a performance, sending the Duchess of Sussex into fits of hysterics.
Meghan herself was beckoned over for a dance herself, although she proved more of a natural than her spouse.
After their impromptu dancing, the couple struck a more serious tone, making impassioned speeches about women’s rights.
The couple chose to visit the township of Nyanga which is the murder capital of South Africa — a country known for having one of the world’s highest homicide rates.
They wanted to see for themselves the work of the Justice Desk, a human rights organisation that is helping youngsters and women who are often the victims of violence.
The charity is supported by the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, which has Harry as its president and Meghan as vice-president.
They were greeted with female dances in traditional costume, musicians playing and ecstatic youngsters waving their national flag.
The couple hugged local people young and old who they were giving them an extra warm welcome.
Soon Harry was engaged in a spot of “dad dancing” as he joined in with a performance, sending the Duchess of Sussex into fits of hysterics.
Meghan herself was beckoned over for a dance herself, although she proved more of a natural than her spouse.
After their impromptu dancing, the couple struck a more serious tone, making impassioned speeches about women’s rights.
On a personal note while I’m here as a member of the royal family, I’m here with you as a mother, as a wife, as a woman, as a woman of colour and as your sister
Meghan Markle
In tribute to the region, Meghan wore a dress by the label Mayamiko, an ethical and sustainable woman’s wear and life style brand, producing clothes made in Malawi.
Surrounded by young women who have benefited from a female empowerment programme teaching them self-defence, Meghan took the unusual step of highlighting her mixed-race heritage.
In a powerful speech to the hosts, she said: “On a personal note while I’m here as a member of the royal family, I’m here with you as a mother, as a wife, as a woman, as a woman of colour and as your sister.
“Please know that my husband and I have been closely following what you’ve been experiencing here — as best we can from afar.
Harry will travel to Angola on Friday, to pay homage to the work of his late mother Diana, Princess of Wales, campaigning for landmines to be outlawed during a visit she made to the country in 1997.
He will also pay tribute to a British soldier killed by an elephant during anti-poaching operations in Malawi when he visits the country on September 30, to focus attention on efforts to protect endangered animals.
A post about the tour on the royal couple’s official Instagram account said: “The duke is especially proud to continue the legacy left by his mother with her work in Angola as he joins Halo Trust again in an effort to rid the world of landmines.”
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A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: “The Duke of Sussex’s love for Africa is well known; he first visited the continent at the age of 13 and more than two decades later, the people, culture, wildlife and resilient communities continue to inspire and motivate him every day.”
Meghan, who is making her first visit to South Africa, and Harry both admire South Africa’s former president Nelson Mandela and have already met members of his family in the UK.
Towards the end of their visit they will be introduced to the statesman’s widow Graca Machel, who met the duke when he visited South Africa in 2015, and have an audience with President Cyril Ramaphosa and his wife Tshepo Motsepe.
“But now that we are with you, we are eager to learn and see first-hand the work that you’re doing, the vital work that you’re doing.
“And that everything that is being done on the ground is making the great change that you not only need but that you deserve.”
The Prince also spoke to the cheering crowd. He said: “Touching on what your president said last week: No man is born to cause harm to women.
“This is learned behaviour and a cycle that needs to be broken.
“Now it’s about redefining masculinity.
“It’s about creating your own footprint for your children to follow in so that you can make a positive change for the future.”
Smiling from ear to ear, Harry thanked the crowds of well-wishers who had gathered to welcome him and his wife.
Now it’s about redefining masculinity… no man is born to cause harm to women
Prince Harry
Harry said: “I wanted to ensure that our first visit as a family, with my wife by my side, focused on the significant challenges facing millions of South Africans, while acknowledging the hope that we feel so strongly.”
Harry said the couple was “incredibly grateful” to have the chance to listen and learn about “the issues that define your daily lives in these communities”.
He added: “That’s what this is — a community. A community where men and women have a vital role to play.”
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