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For the second time in a month, the Duchess of Sussex sat down with Fortune, this time with the magazine’s associate editor, Emma Hinchliffe for its “Most Powerful Next Gen Summit” today.
The Duchess covered a wide swath of inspirational topics, sharing with attendees how she’s learned to chase her convictions with action.
“It’s not easy,” Meghan said. “That’s the first place all of us have to start with. Sometimes making the best decision for yourself and your family might not be the most popular one.”
Meghan, with her hair in a low ponytail and a batik print dress by Tracy Reese – Hope for Flowers, spoke again from her Santa Barbara sitting room – a familiar location for those watching Meghan’s recent appearances – and told Hinchliffe that —
“My faith is greater than my fear. It has to be greater than whatever fears are hindering you from taking that step.”
“That step,” of course, likely refers to she and husband Harry’s decision to leave the Royal Family earlier this year and relocate first to Canada, then to her native California, where they now reside in Montecito with their son, 17-month-old Archie.
“Your voice matters,” she said. “You realize it more when you are not able to exercise it. Regardless of my experience over the last few years compared to anyone’s experience, you can’t take for granted the ability you have as a woman to be able to be heard, and now with the platform that people have on social media to actually have that voice heard for a larger audience, I think it’s a huge responsibility.”
Meghan told Fortune that she doesn’t have social media and hasn’t for a long time. After she closed her personal accounts before marrying Harry, she and her husband had social media accounts under the handle @SussexRoyal that weren’t managed by she and Harry, Meghan said, but rather by a team that worked for them. She has no desire to have a social media presence, adding that her decision to stay off of the platforms is a helpful form of self-preservation.
“I have a lot of concerns for people that have become obsessed with it,” she said. “And it is so much a part of our daily culture for so many people that it’s an addiction like many others. There are very few things in this world where you call the person who is engaging with it a user.”
The Duchess, speaking to an audience of mostly rising female leaders, told those listening to be mindful of their retweets and reposts.
“As you’re out there building your brand, as you are out there engaging with friends online, just be conscious of what you’re doing,” she said. “Understand that it is not limited to that one moment – that you are creating an echo chamber for yourself.”
Meghan said all the work she does is to build a better world for Archie, saying when asked if motherhood made her more courageous or cautious —
“My gut is that is makes you more courageous. It makes you so concerned for the world they are going to inherit. At the same time, I am cautious of putting my family at risk by [saying] certain things – I try to be very clear with what I say, and not make it controversial…I wouldn’t be able to feel proud of myself as a mom if I didn’t know that I wasn’t doing my part to make it a better place for him.”
Meghan – and Harry as well – have been much more front-facing in the last month as they gear up to launch their Archewell organization and begin producing content for Netflix. But one constant remains, she said.
“Everything I’m doing is for Archie, our son,” Meghan said. “There’s a lot that I’m exciting about – certainly in creating programming and content that is conscious and inspiring and has a call to action and is uplifting. And I’m excited to be back home in the States and, hopefully as things start to open up a bit more with COVID, just to be back and engaging and interacting with people in a different way and in a way that will allow me to roll my sleeves up and really be boots on the ground back at home.”
Watch the video conversation below. (apologies for it being so small)
I am very glad that young women (yes, 39 is young!) have a role model who demonstrates the importance of confidence. Clearly Meghan is not fazed by worries that the dress she chooses to wear might be seen by some as inappropriate. In the UK she was criticised for holding hands with Harry in public. Goodness, royals don’t touch each other in public! Whatever next! And then she had the cheek to wear trousers to an official event. Goodness, what gall. I don’t think she’s dressing to suit the most conservative commentators out there. You can’t please all the people all the time, and I, for one, am delighted that when she pleases herself (as she should) she does so with such taste, thoughfulness, and political acumen.
Meghan’s words seem to be about her and her family, personal words. She is wearing a personal dress. Seems OK to me. Just is who she is, and after a few years of both denying who she is and trying to change who she is, while criticizing every move, I believe she deserves to be herself.
What a beautiful, boho maxi dress! It reminds me of some of the pieces she wore on the Australia/Pacific tour. Very beachy and appropriate for a relaxed, California vibe. And she’s wearing a colorful print as opposed to a neutral color! As always she stays true to her sustainable fashion roots. I would live in maxi dresses year round if allowed (I’m in the tri state area of NYC so sadly not an option for me).
I agree that sadly Meghan would have been ridiculed for wearing this dress for an appearance in the UK, her fashion was really a point of contention for awhile. It’s nice to see her feeling more relaxed with her choices now that she’s back home.
Pretty dress, one that would have been showcased so much better in a full length shot. But here we are, Zooming our way through a pandemic.
I’m saying this carefully because my heart hurts for all the online abuse hurled at Meghan and imaginary protocols: My personal preference for an interview/conversation is more professional attire, but that’s my own standard. I’m glad she feels comfortable wearing her own style. And she looks fabulous!!
The duchess looks beautiful…I love her hair styled that way!
She brings such heart and honesty to her conversations and I’m glad she’s using her platform for positive change. It’s wonderful to see.
LadyLeah, I agree whole-heartedly with your post! And I appreciate the language you used regarding the professionalism of the outfit – I feel the same way. Meghan used to wear a lot of professional clothing (suits, blazers, skirts) for some of her outings in the UK and I feel that would strike a better tone here. On the other hand, I have seen discussions about what our new Zoom reality means in terms of what is acceptable workplace attire nowadays, so perhaps my thinking is outdated.
I think it’s a bit too revealing for the camera angle.
Nice enough dress for a pool party, perhaps, just not for a ‘business’ conference, whether via Zoom or not? With just head and shoulder views it doesn’t seem very professional to look half dressed.
She could never have worn that revealing top as an HRH. Interesting.
Hi Beverly – there have been on several occasions members of the royal family who have worn rather revealing dresses etc. Kate and Sophie have both worn revealing necklines over the years. Kate used to get slammed for her short, above the knee skirts and dresses. Strapless, lower cut or short skirts – the list goes on. I’m sure Meghan would’ve been ridiculed for wearing it but only by those who forget what others in the family have worn. Just my two cents. Susan C 🙂
I think it’s not so much about the low cut as the absolute casual vibe it gives. This event would have amounted to an engagement if circumstances were different, and whether she likes it or not, her power and popularity are still stemming from being married to the BRF. So I think dressing for the title comes with the territory.
Good point. I think back to Diana in the off the shoulder black gown on one of her first evening appearances as a princess. But I think I was referring to how casual and revealing the dress is for a daytime engagement vs. the accepted “uniform” of duchess daywear in the U.K. I also am wondering if, in general, Meghan’s approach to her “working” fashion will be to become so low key as to try and take all the emphasis off of what she wears. This will force the conversation more toward what she says and does. With all due respect to a fashion blog like this one, she’s likely to make the fashion commenting pretty boring going forward. I personally think that is probably a good strategy on her part. Sends a more powerful message to women everywhere. Maybe you will have to change the name of this site to What Meghan Said.
Most woman would not have worn such a revealing top for a woman’s leader summit. Just because you can does not mean that you should.
Just because one can wear something doesn’t mean that one should.
In my opinion, a spaghetti strap dress was not appropriate for this meeting.
Meghan Duchess of Sussex is direct with warmth. Her compassion shows when she speaks of her son Archie and her beliefs in women’s rights. Duchess Meghan seems approachable from her warm demeanor. I am very glad the Duchess is back here in the U.S.A. near her family. Even though I am much older than the Duchess, I am a big fan of hers for these reasons.
Betsie, what did you think about the dress?