Meghan Markle told schoolboys to 'protect the women in your life'

Meghan Markle told Dagenham schoolboys to ‘protect the women in your life’ and ‘stand up for your rights’ during her last solo royal engagement

• Meghan spoke at the Robert Clack Upper School in Dagenham, east London  
• Addressing around 700 pupils in an assembly she said the visit was ‘profound’
• The Duchess also marked the 50th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act on her visit 

The Duchess of Sussex made a surprise visit to a school to deliver an International Women’s Day message to schoolboys to ‘protect the women in your lives’.

In one of her last solo engagements as a working royal Meghan, who also revealed that ten-month-old Archie is trying to walk, spoke with delighted pupils at the Robert Clack Upper School in Dagenham, east London, and met one of the women who fought an historic equal pay battle in the nearby Ford car plant.

In a speech addressing the school’s boys in particular, she urged them to ‘continue to value and appreciate the women in your lives and also set the example for some men who are not seeing it that same way.

‘You have your mothers, sisters, girlfriends, friends in your life, protect them.

‘Make sure that they are feeling valued and safe and let’s all just rally together to make International Women’s Day something that is not just on Sunday, but frankly feels like every day of the year.’ 

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex poses with school children making the ‘Equality’ sign following a school assembly during a visit to Robert Clack School in Dagenham

In a speech addressing the school’s boys in particular, she urged them to ‘continue to value and appreciate the women in your lives and also set the example for some men who are not seeing it that same way

She also told them the had the ‘the right to speak up for what is right’ as she urged them to follow in the footsteps of the Dagenham women in 1968.

Although rumours had spread about the identity of their special guest, most of the pupils waiting inside and onlookers gathered at the school gates were audibly surprised when Meghan arrived on Friday, to be warmly greeted by headteacher Russell Taylor.

Meghan smiled broadly at two of the school’s youngest pupils, 11-year-olds Fiona Addai and Harvi Shehi, who both appeared shocked as she approached and asked their names.

The duchess thanked Fiona after the youngster presented her with a small bouquet of purple and white flowers. Fiona later said: ‘I was so happy, I thought I was going to faint.’

Meghan, wearing black and tan shoes, black trousers, a white blouse and a tan blazer, was given a tour of the comprehensive school (she is pictured speaking to students)

Meghan also marked the 50th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act on her visit to the school.

Her choice of location was noteworthy as strikes in the 1960s by female sewing machinists at the nearby Ford Motor Plant triggered the passing of the legislation. That struggle was depicted in the 2010 film Made in Dagenham.

Meghan told around 700 pupils in an assembly: ‘I think being able to be in Dagenham is incredibly profound…

‘It is the best example of no matter how small you might feel, how low you may feel on the ladder or the totem pole, no matter what colour you are, no matter what gender you are, you have a voice and you certainly have the right to speak up for what is right.’

Meghan, wearing black and tan shoes, black trousers, a white blouse and a tan blazer, was given a tour of the comprehensive school.

She sat among Year 9 students in the library who had been studying women’s literature and poems and tried to encourage one pupil to read her poem aloud, quietly praising her for her work.

After seeing another student had been studying Maya Angelou, Meghan asked her why she liked the poet and said: ‘She’s incredible, isn’t she?’

Britain’s Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (left) goes to embrace student Aker Okoye during a school assembly as part of a visit to Robert Clack School in Essex, on  Friday in support of International Women’s Day

Britain’s Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (L) embraces student Aker Okoye during a school assembly as part of a visit to Robert Clack School in Essex, on Friday , in support of International Women’s Day

Meghan also visited the school’s art studio, where she was made an honorary member of the Robert Clack Debate Society and awarded a team jersey.

After listening to some members of the team advocate for their future careers, including as lawyers and gynaecologists, Meghan said: ‘It’s incredibly impressive and I’m just so proud to be able to witness so much of this activism and this energy in this room.

‘It’s how we’re going to see the impact in the world that we need, it’s all of your voices as you said and being able to feel empowered.’

Before taking the stage for the International Women’s Day assembly, Meghan spoke to Geraldine Dear, one of the women involved in the Dagenham Ford strikes.

Ms Dear said: ‘She said it was an honour to meet me and I said it was the other way around. I said the girls should believe in themselves.

‘I did ask her how Archie is and she said to me he’s 10 months old today and he’s just trying to walk.’

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visits the the Robert Clack Upper School in Dagenham on Friday to attend a special assembly ahead of International Womens Day

Meghan lastly went into the main hall, where her introduction brought gasps of surprise before thunderous applause from 700 visibly stunned pupils.

After the second of three standing ovations, Meghan told pupils: ‘I thought that you knew I was coming, so I’m sorry for the surprise.

‘It is such an honour for me to be here today. When we thought about what I wanted to do for International Women’s Day this year, for me it was incredibly important to be with the women of our future.

‘And that is all of you young women here, as well as you young men who play a very large part in this.

‘I think specifically coming to your school made a lot of sense for me because of this social justice and the impact that it’s rooted in.’

The Duchess of Sussex later asked for a male volunteer to explain their view on the importance of International Women’s Day.

Head boy Aker Okoye, 16, jumped at the chance to take to the stage. Greeting her with what appeared to be a kiss on the cheek, he told his fellow pupils: ‘She really is beautiful. I had to speak the truth there.’

With a smile, Meghan praised Aker’s ‘incredible confidence’.

Shortly before she left the hall to cheers and loud applause, Meghan had a photo taken with the students, who posed with their arms in an equals sign in reference to the International Women’s Day campaign theme ‘EachforEqual’.

Meghan Markle told Dagenham schoolboys to ‘protect the women in your life’ and ‘stand up for your rights’ during her last solo royal engagement 

‘Good afternoon, everybody. I thought you knew I was coming so I’m sorry for the surprise.

‘It is such an honour for me to be here today.

‘When we thought about what I wanted to do for International Women’s Day this year, for me it was incredibly important to be with the women of our future. And that is all of you young women here, as well as you young men who play a very large part in this.

‘I think specifically coming to your school made a lot of sense for me because of this social justice and the impact that it’s rooted in.

‘Your school mantra as you all know is excellence for all, excellence from all, right. So if that’s the case, how does that apply in your minds do you think to International Women’s Day?

‘I think in many ways it’s very much the same thing isn’t it, the idea of excellence for all and from all, equality for all and from all.

‘Before I continue I’m going to go off the cuff here because I do think what’s really key is if there’s one brave young man in this room who wants to come and say what he thinks the importance of International Women’s Day is, I know there’s going to be one of you.’

Meghan picked a volunteer from the audience, 16-year-old Aker Okoye, who discussed the importance of men supporting International Women’s Day – after first saying the duchess is ‘beautiful’.

Afterwards, Meghan continued: ‘Well done, very well said, and incredible confidence, don’t you all agree?

‘I think that is the point, right? In many societies, it doesn’t matter where you are, it’s very easy to sometimes compartmentalise or silo this idea of International Women’s Day solely being about women – but it’s not, it’s about all of us.

‘So I think what you said is incredibly important for all of us to remember, not just on Sunday, not just on International Women’s Day, but every day to remember the value that we all bring to the table.

‘And I think being able to be in Dagenham is incredibly profound because as you can see with Geraldine (Dear) and the other women who had the strength to really stand up for something that they knew needed to be done is the best example of no matter how small you might feel, how low you may feel on the ladder or the totem pole, no matter what colour you are, no matter what gender you are, you have a voice and you certainly have the right to speak up for what is right.

‘And I think what’s really key for all of you to remember is especially looking at the people who have paved the way for you to get to this point in your lives and be able to have the access that you do, it’s not just an opportunity to continue that, it’s a responsibility.

‘So I just encourage and empower each of you to really stand in your truth, to stand for what is right, to continue to respect each other, for you young men to continue to value and appreciate the women in your lives and also set the example for some men who are not seeing it that same way.

‘You have your mothers, sisters, girlfriends, friends in your life, protect them. Make sure that they are feeling valued and safe and let’s all just rally together to make International Women’s Day something that is not just on Sunday, but frankly feels like every day of the year.

‘So thank-you so much for having me, it’s really a privilege to be here, thank-you.’

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