The Duchess of Sussex donned a chic all-red ensemble to deliver an inspiring speech on gender equality on Monday evening.
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Appearing at the One Young World summit, Meghan, 41, gave the keynote address at the opening ceremony held at Manchester's The Bridgewater Hall.
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During her speech, the mother-of-two told young future world leaders: "You are the future… you are the present".
"You are the ones driving the positive and necessary change across the globe now, in this very moment. And for that I am so grateful to be in your company today," she added.
The Suits actress addressed 2,000 attendees
Touching on her "pinch me moment", Meghan spoke about the first time she was asked to be a counsellor for One Young World in 2014.
"And there I was, the girl from Suits. I was surrounded by world leaders, humanitarians, prime ministers and activists that I had such a deep and long-standing respect and admiration for. And I was allowed in, to pull up a seat at the table.
"I was so overwhelmed by this experience, I think, I think I even saved my little paper place-marker with my name on it.
"Just proof: proof that I was there, proof that I belonged, because the truth was, I wasn't sure that I belonged," she said.
The duchess delivered a poignant speech
Dressed to impress, duchess Meghan opted for a vivid red Valentino suit featuring wide-leg trousers, and a matching long-sleeved blouse. She styled her hair into a sleek ponytail and accessorised with gold hoop earrings. Harry, meanwhile, looked particularly dapper in his crisp white shirt and navy suit.
Earlier in the evening, Meghan smiled and held hands with the duke as they made their way through the packed auditorium.
The pair took their seats centre stage as they joined One Young World counsellors to watch the flag bearers enthusiastically parading the flags of more than 200 countries.
Meghan donned a bold red outfit
The event brings together young leaders from more than 190 countries and will provide Meghan and Harry with the opportunity to meet a group of summit delegates doing "outstanding work on gender equality".
Meghan embraced One Young World co-founder Kate Robertson
According to The Daily Mail, the duo set foot on British soil on Saturday and are reportedly staying at their UK residence on the Queen's Windsor Estate, Frogmore Cottage.
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The pair were spotted at London Euston this afternoon after being driven 27 miles from their Windsor residence in a hybrid electric Range Rover. They were photographed entering the station via a side entrance.
Their returning UK visit was confirmed back in August, with a spokesperson for the couple saying at the time: "Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are delighted to visit with several charities close to their hearts in early September."
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe Duchess gave a speech this evening
Following their brief trip to Manchester, Meghan and Harry will be travelling to Germany for the Invictus Games Dusseldorf 2023 One Year To Go event. They are due to return to the UK for the WellChild Awards in London where Harry will deliver a speech on Thursday.
It is the Sussexes' first public appearance in the UK since the Queen's Platinum Jubilee weekend where they attended the Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral.
Their Manchester trip comes after the former Suits actress interviewed with New York's The Cut Magazine in which she said it takes "a lot of effort" to forgive and hinted that she can "say anything".
Meghan went on to add that "just by existing" she and Harry were "upsetting the dynamic of the hierarchy" before they stepped down as senior working royals.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe couple arrived at St Paul's Cathedral
The Daily Mail understands that the couple have liaised with event organisers to implement security measures after the royal was told he was no longer entitled to taxpayer-funded official armed police bodyguards.
A security officer was spotted outside The Bridgewater Hall
A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police confirmed its officers were not involved, adding that security for the event had been 'privately sourced'.
© Photo: Getty ImagesHarry and Meghan are allegedly staying at Frogmore Cottage
The duke, who stepped down as a senior royal in January 2020, is suing the Home Office after he was denied the possibility to pay for police protection for himself and his family when visiting home from the US.
He is challenging the February 2020 decision of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) – which falls under the remit of the Home Office – over his security, after being told he would no longer be given the 'same degree' of personal protective security when visiting.
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