Meghan Markle looked effortlessly elegant as she and Prince Harry attended the One Young World summit in Manchester this evening, where the Duchess gave a keynote speech.
The Duchess of Sussex, 41, opted for a scarlet £1,100 Valentino blouse and matching £1,200 wide-leg trousers from the Italian luxury designer when arriving at Bridgewater Hall alongside the Duke, 37, who both travelled to the Northern city via train from London Euston.
They will be making their first public appearances in the UK after returning to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June. Harry continues his legal battle against the Home Office, despite being denied 24/7 taxpayer-funded police bodyguards.
The event brings together young leaders from more than 190 countries and where Meghan, a counsellor for One Young World, gave an address on gender equality – her first in-person speech in the UK since quitting as a senior working royal more than two years ago.
Meghan is said to have finished her bright red ensemble with Aquazzura pumps. Meghan smiled as she walked past the auditorium and before they took to the stage.
The Duchess of Sussex (pictured), 41, opted for a scarlet £1,100 Valentino blouse and matching £1,200 wide-leg trousers from the Italian luxury designer when arriving at Bridgewater Hall alongside the Duke, 37, who both travelled to the Northern city via train from London Euston
Look stylish Looking stylish!
This event gathers young leaders from over 190 nations. Meghan (pictured left), who is a counsellor at One Young World gave a speech on gender equality. It was her first public address in person in the UK after quitting as senior working royal nearly two years ago.
Harry and Meghan shared a seat on a platform together, while One Young World counselors watched as flag bearers eagerly displayed flags representing more than 200 countries.
Meghan (pictured), smiled at the prince and held hands as they made it through the auditorium. They then took to the stage, in front of more than 2,000 young leaders.
Meghan chose to add glitz to her bright ensemble with gold hooped earrings, a stunning array of rings and her hair in a messy ponytail.
Harry and Meghan shared a seat on a platform together, while One Young World counsellors observed the flag bearers excitedly displaying flags representing more than 200 countries at the opening ceremony.
Meghan, mother of two, moved in tune to the music and clapped as Respect and Dancing In The Streets were played.
Then, she addressed the crowd, saying to future leaders that they were the future and the present. She said, “You’re the one driving positive, necessary changes across the globe right now.” It is for this reason that I am very grateful to have been in your company today.
Meghan shared her story about being asked to be One Young World’s counsellor in 2014, and how she had a ‘pinch-me moment’.
“And there was I, the Suits girl,” she recalled. The world’s leaders, humanitarians, prime minsters, activists and others I admired and had deep respect for were all around me. Then I was permitted to take a place at the table.
“I felt so overwhelmed that I saved my paper place-marker with me name on it because I was so impressed by the experience. It was just proof. Proof that I was there. And proof that my belonging was confirmed. But, the truth is, I wasn’t certain that I belong.
“Because I was not sure I belong, the truth is,” continued Duchess. Because I was nervous I began to doubt myself. I also wondered if my abilities were sufficient for me to make it there. One Young World was what she said, “saw in me just like I see in your, the present, and the future.”
Meghan, mother of two, danced along to the music and clapped as her hands moved.
Harry and Meghan meet Kate Robertson, one of cofounders at the One Young World summit
Prince Harry, Meghan, and David Robert Jones (cofounder of One Young World) on the stage at the opening ceremony of the One Young World Summit 2022
Harry and Meghan are smiling as they stand centre stage during the One Young World summit’s opening ceremony
Meghan said, “And I want that to be made because I often times speak with young girls about their future.” You will think about the future, what you should do to make it better and how you can fix mistakes made by previous generations.
“Too often, in this, we forget the point” – You are doing it right now. This is the beginning.
Harry and Meghan were earlier pictured going into a side entrance of London Euston after being driven the 27 miles from their UK base at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor to the railway station in a hybrid electric Range Rover – a journey taking about an hour.
The Sussexes were accompanied by two bodyguards and followed by another Range Rover as they were driven out of the grounds of Windsor Castle, ahead of Meghan making her first speech to a British crowd since Megxit.
Harry and Meghan applauded during flag-waving ceremonies at the One Young World Summit Manchester
Harry, along with Meghan, hugged One Young World Summit founders during this evening’s event
While the royal couple was at center stage, Bob Geldof (Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham) sat right to their left.
They were less than half an hour away from Prince William, Kate, and their three children. However, the two families have decided not to get together, demonstrating the deep distrust between them.
The decision by the couple to use at most two private security firms as well as dog teams, to form a ring steel around Bridgewater Hall is coming just days after Meghan revealed to The Cut magazine in the US she finds it difficult to forgive. She also hinted that she could’say anything’.
The couple, along with event organizers, have organized private security following Harry’s exclusion from taxpayer-funded armed police officer bodyguards. Greater Manchester Police’s spokesperson confirmed that no officers had been involved and added that the security was ‘privately sourced.
It was stated that the area around the venue, which seats 2,300 people was closed to the public was cleaned an hour and half prior to the arrival of the couple after 6pm.
Harry and Meghan looked happy as they made their way past Bridgewater Hall’s 2,000 strong crowd, which was filled with young people all over the globe (pictured).
Harry and Meghan meet one of the founding members of One Young World Summit, as they stand on the podium this evening.
Meghan chose to add glitz and glamour to her bright ensemble with gold hooped earrings, a stunning array of rings, and kept her hair in a sleek, wavy ponytail.
Harry and Meghan are on their trip amid Harry’s legal fight with the Government about his safety in the UK. After being told that he wouldn’t be receiving the same degree of protection for his personal safety after leaving the Royal Family in 2020, he filed legal action.
According to him, he does not feel secure under the current security arrangements for bringing his family to Canada and has made an offer to have British police provide bodyguards. Last month, he was granted permission to file a High Court lawsuit against the Home Office.
The couple will next visit Germany to attend the Invictus Games Dusseldorf2023 One Year To Go Event on Tuesday. They then return home to the UK where Harry will be speaking at the WellChild Awards London on Thursday.
According to reports, the Sussexes arrived in Windsor at Frogmore Cottage on Saturday before their European tour. It is just 380 feet from Adelaide Cottage, the new 4-bedroom Cambridge Cottage where William and Kate spent their weekend.
The Queen seems to be calmly carrying on as normal, although a source said that she didn’t want to wait for the Sussexes to drop the next nuclear bomb.
Another Palace source told the newspaper: ‘Ultimately, they are bashing the institution that has put them in the position they’re in – the longevity of that strategy is not sustainable.’
After their separation from royal life, Harry and Meghan participated in many interviews. One of these was their controversial interview with Oprah. During which time they accused Oprah and the Royal Family racism.
Tensions rose further after Meghan suggested that the Sussexes had to cross the Atlantic due to ‘existing’ and causing disruption in the hierarchy.
She also stated that her husband had “lost” his father. Sources close to her and Prince Charles said this was not a reference Prince Charles but to her separation from her father.
The interview was also a comparison of Meghan to Nelson Mandela. Royal insiders expressed concern about their remarks on the Queen’s impact.
One person said the Queen, now at 96, has pulled out from a series of public events recently amid continuing fears about her health and does not want to be ‘on tenterhooks’ or waiting for the next nuclear bomb.
Analysts allege Harry’s upcoming memoir, which is expected to be out in time for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, is also expected to slam the monarchy.
Even though the content of the memoir is not yet known, it will remain unveiled to members of the Royal family.
Sources close to the Prince of Wales reportedly told The Telegraph last month that he had hoped his team would have been sent a copy of the book ahead of its publication. But they say neither he, nor the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge or their attorneys have received any specific information about the book.