Duchess: I believe in education for all

THE Duchess of Sussex has spoken of the importance of access to education during her first speech on the royal tour.

She revealed her own experiences of struggling to afford college fees but told of the “feeling of pride and excitement” of university life.

Addressing the audience at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji with a traditional greeting of “Bula!” yesterday, she told how it was “a great privilege” to be on the island.

And she announced new Commonwealth grants young women students.

In her impassioned speech, Meghan said: “As a university graduate, I know the personal feeling of pride and excitement that comes with attending university. The journey of higher education is an incredible, impactful and pivotal one.”

The Duchess, a former advocate for women with the UN, said the right to receive education is vital “for women and for girls in developing countries”. She said: “I am also fully aware of the challenges of being able to afford this level of schooling – myself included.

“It was through scholarships, financial aid programmes and work study… that I was able to attend.

“Everyone should be afforded the opportunity… and for women and girls in developing countries, this is vital.”

Meghan noted the Commonwealth, to which Prince Harry is now a youth ambassador, and said: “The Association of Commonwealth Universities… supports universities to promote equality in their own institutions.

“I am pleased to announce today that two new grants will be awarded to Fiji National University and the University of the South Pacific, allowing each of them to run workshops which empower female staff.”

She said the money would allow female faculty members to encourage others to follow in their footsteps.