Meghan: Gender equality talks ‘cannot happen without men’

The Duchess of Sussex has said that a conversation about gender equality and female empowerment “can’t happen without men”.

Meghan met youth ambassadors from One Young World at Windsor Castle yesterday morning for a roundtable discussion on initiatives to improve gender equality.

She was joined by her husband, the Duke of Sussex, who arrived as a surprise to the delegates.

The participants – who represented organisations from countries including South Africa, Nigeria, Iraq, Malawi and Bangladesh – also shared their personal achievements and the best practices that had helped them overcome complex challenges and significant obstacles.

Beginning the discussion, Meghan told the group: “I think we’re all aware that One Young World has been very important to me for several years and now being vice-president of QCT (Queen’s Commonwealth Trust), it just felt like the perfect medley.

“Our intention today is to try to create somewhat of a task force to see what we can do within our communities and then use that knowledge to apply it to whatever is happening in all these other communities.

“In terms of gender equality, which is something I have championed for a long time, I think that conversation can’t happen without men being a part of it.

“So for this reason it made complete sense to let (Harry) join today.”

The roundtable was led by QCT chief executive Nicola Brentnall and moderated by One Young World counsellors, social media influencer Rossana Bee and Canada’s first openly gay Olympic gold medallist Mark Tewksbury.

Picture: Getty. The Duchess of Sussex was joined by her husband at the One Young World summit.