Prince Harry and his fiancée Meghan Markle attended the third day of the Commonwealth Youth Forum to meet young delegates today, as part of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London.
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When told by a delegate from Mauritius that she should start a SheForShe campaign, equivalent to the UN’s promotion of HeForShe, the royal bride-to-be replied that she would think about it “right after May 20th,” the day after her wedding.
Prince Harry and Ms Markle met with youth delegates from across the Commonwealth who have been attending the forum and discussed the issues facing young people, including LGBT rights and interfaith understanding.
Australian Jacob Thomas revealed what he spoke about with Prince Harry and his fiancee; Mr Thomas works with the Commonwealth Equality Network and chatted to the royal couple about LGBTQ+ rights, and they praised the network’s achievements.
“[Meghan] really laid down the key point that it’s basic human rights,” he said. “It’s not just about love and sexuality. It’s also about being here, supporting and recognising us for the benefit of all.”
“Harry recognised that five years ago, 10 years ago, this would not have happened,” he said. Jacob won a Queen’s Young Leaders Award for reducing the rate of suicide in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community in Australia.
Ms Markle chatted with a group of delegates about the importance of utilising the Commonwealth; she told them: “You have this umbrella to hold you together. It’s incredible. Stay in touch – maximise it.”
Attending an CHOGM marks one of the most notable of Meghan’s appearances since the couple announced their engagement in November. As a nod to the occasion, Meghan’s outfit included two Australian designers; she wore the ‘Audrey’ striped dress by Altruzza and the ‘Marguite’ blazer by Camilla and Marc – read more about her outfit over at Replicate Royalty.
The Commonwealth Youth Forum these this year is powering ‘Our Common Future’ in the hope to illustrate the potential of young people to devise solutions to complex global challenges and bring forward meaningful change. Throughout the 53 Member States of the Commonwealth, over 60% of the 2 billion population are ages under 30.
Prince Harry and his bride were not the only members of the Royal Family attending the CYF today: the other royal bride of 2018, Princess Eugenie, arrived ahead of the happy couple, carrying a notepad and pen.
Usually attending high profile events alone or alongside his brother and sister-in-law, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry expressed his happiness of now having Ms Markle by his side.
When opening the Forum on Monday, Harry said he was “incredibly grateful” that the “woman I am about to marry” will be joining him in his new job as Commonwealth Youth Ambassador.
2 comments
I wish a happy marriage to prince harry and meghan markle.
Wishing Prince HARRY AND MEGHAN MARKLE A HAPPY WEDDING…MAY GOD’S BLESSINGS BE WITH YOU …
LOVE FROM. EL MASI FROM THE FIJI ISLANDS