Having arrived in New Zealand for the final leg of their first royal tour together, Meghan and Harry attended a reception held at Government House in Wellington.
Having already given two unforgettable speeches on the royal tour—one at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji, and the other at the Invictus Games in Sydney—Meghan delivered a third, in honor of New Zealand’s 125th anniversary of women’s suffrage. (Meghan also found the time to present the Young Conservationist of the Year Award at the Australian Geographic Society Gala).
Meghan started her well-received speech with some words of Maori, which the audience immediately applauded. Then, the Duchess of Sussex didn’t hold back as she discussed the importance of feminism, and the need for real equality, in her speech. Royal commentator Omid Scobie shared a full transcript of Meghan’s third royal tour speech, which you can read now:
The Duchess told everyone in the room, “We are proud to be able to join you tonight in celebrating the 125th anniversary of women’s suffrage in your country.” Per People, she continued saying, “The achievements of the women of New Zealand who campaigned for their right to vote, and were the first in the world to achieve it, are universally admired. In looking forward to this very special occasion, I reflected on the importance of this achievement, but also the larger impact of what this symbolizes.”
At the reception, Meghan wore a Gabriela Hearst gown with custom sleeves, and a necklace by New Zealand-born jeweler Jessica McCormack.
The speech was also an opportunity for Meghan to reflect upon feminism and what it really means, as she told listeners, “yes, women’s suffrage is about feminism, but feminism is about fairness.”
Having always advocated on behalf of women, Meghan explained that New Zealand’s iconic anniversary reminds us all of “the basic and fundamental human right of being able to participate in the choices for your future and that of your community, the involvement and voice that allows you to be a part of the very world that you are a part of.”
Understandably, Meghan’s speech ended in a round of applause from the audience, and it’s exciting to hear the Duchess being given the chance to stand up for the causes she has always believed in.
