The Most Moving And Poignant Quotes From Meghan Markle's One Young World Speech

The opening ceremony for annual leadership event One Young World took place last night in Manchester, following last year's Munich event.

It saw legions of ambitious young leaders and iconic political, humanitarian and business figureheads unite for an evening of inspiring speeches, a celebration of important work and invigorating insights on how to influence change, both in the present and future.

Meghan Markle, one of the counsellors at the 2022 summit, attended the event for a fourth time, but her appearance was extra special this time around, as it marked the first occasion that Prince Harry was able to join her.

The Duchess of Sussex gave a moving, vulnerable speech that saw her candidly admit to feeling undeserving of her seat at the table when she first joined as counsellor for the event back in 2014. In her words: 'I was the girl from Suits.'

Markle began: 'Well good evening everyone. It is very nice to be back in the UK and it is very nice to back with all of you at One Young World.

'You’ll hear all sorts of things [this week] – some very heavy, some very uplifting, but the resounding spirit I believe you’ll hear is that you are the future.'

She continued: 'But I would like to add to that, that you are also the present. You are the ones driving the positive and necessary change needed across the globe now in this very moment.

'And for that, I’m so grateful to be in your company today.'

She later shared with the audience her own experience of being a young leader with heaps of self-doubt.

'It was several years ago in 2014 that I was first invited to be be a counsellor at One Young World, and in many ways at the time I was probably a lot like each of you – young, ambitious, advocating for the things I deeply and profoundly believed in, and also looking around and wondering "how on earth did I get here?" she recalled.

'Have any of you today so far had that feeling, that pinch me moment where you just go "how am I here? Oh it’s a lot." And at that dinner there were about 20 to 30 of us for the counsellors, and there I was, I was the girl from Suits.'

This reference to her former days playing the role of Rachel Zane in the legal drama led the crowd to break out into laughter, happy about the nod to the character which first made the world fall in love with her.

'And I was surrounded by world leaders, humanitarians, prime ministers and activists that I had such a deep and longstanding respect and admiration for. And I was invited to pull up a seat at the table,' Markle added.

'I was so overwhelmed by this experience. I think, I think I even saved my little paper place card that said my name on it. Just proof, proof that I was there and proof that I belonged, because the truth was I wasn’t sure that I belonged.

'I was so nervous. I doubted myself, and I wondered, wondered if I was even good enough to be there, what I was doing in the world.

'... But One Young World saw in me what I wanted to see fully in myself,' she continued.

'They saw in me just as I see in you – the present and the future, and I reiterate that point because often times we speak to young adults about the years ahead, about what you’ll do, what you’ll have to adopt to fix from previous generations and also what legacy you’ll leave. But too often in that you neglect the point that you’re doing it now. You here in this present moment. This is where it’s all beginning.'

As for what it means to be serving as counsellor again for One Young World, Markle said it allowed her to be 'with people that I admire most, including former president of Ireland Mary Robinson', who shared the stage with the royal.

The 41-year-old mum-of-two later spoke about life as a mum and wife when referring to how her life had changed when she joined the summit in 2019.

'I joined you in London in 2019 and by that point it’s safe to say my life changed rather significantly. I was now married and I was now a mum, and my worldview had expanded exponentially, seeing the global community through the eyes of my child. And I would ask what is this world he would come to adopt? And what can we do, what can I do to make it better?'

Speaking admiringly of Prince Harry, she added: 'I’m thrilled that my husband is able to join me here this time, to witness firsthand my respect for this organisation, this incredible organisation, and all that it provides as well as accomplishes. One Young World has been an inimitable part of my life for so many years before I met him. So to meet again here on UK soil with him by my makes it all feel full circle.'

She continued: 'My husband has long advocated for important and necessary impact in the world focusing a huge part of his life’s work on the youth, so for both of us bearing witness to the power that you hold in your hands and the unbridled enthusiasm and energy that you have to see things come to fruition, it is just an absolute privilege. I’m incredibly humbled to not just stand before each of you but to stand beside you.'

Markle concluded: 'We often hear people say the time is now, but I’m going to double down on that by saying your time is now. The important work can’t wait for tomorrow. And this week the world is watching as you cement your place in history by showcasing the good that you are doing today, in the present moment, as we embrace the moment now to create a better tomorrow.

'And with that it is my absolute honour and pleasure to declare this year’s One Young World summit officially open.'

The Sussexes shared the stage at Bridgewater Hall with the likes of Mary Robinson and Geldof, the Irish singer-songwriter, who, too, shared gripping speeches at a time of economic uncertainty.

Mayor for Greater Manchester Andy Burnham highlighted the city is the home of the Suffragettes, who fought for women's right to work. He also referred to it historically refusing to work with slave picked cotton 'saying to the world black lives matter' even back then.

Lightening the mood, he joked about Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin, saying: 'we like a party like the Prime Minister of Finland,' before adding that she's an 'amazing person leading her country'.

Later quoting Nelson Mandela, he said: 'It always seems impossible until it is done,' before concluding with an iconic quote: 'You are never too young to lead and you are never too old to learn.'

In a bold address, Geldof spoke about the need to end 'abusive ideology' surrounding leadership and people's 'spurious reason to maintain power'. Admitting that the leadership strategy of his generation 'failed' and 'didn't work'. He advocated for effective future leadership and more progressive conversations.

'It really is possible to talk about something other than the end of the world,' he said.

As for Robinson, she said in her speech: 'Women leaders are recognising we will need a moonshot mentality' to improve the climate.

The stage at last night's ceremony was also graced by a host of young performing artists, including ballet, contemporary and street dancers from diverse backgrounds. As well, delegates for this year's summit all took to the stage, all flying their individual home country flags.

One Young World's summit plays host to over 2,000 young leaders representing more than 190 countries, who will gather in the buzzing city for influential speeches, panels, workshops and networking sessions.

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