Monday 26 February 2018

Harry and Meghan to Visit Birmingham on International Women's Day!

Continuing with their pre-wedding tour of the UK, Kensington Palace confirmed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will visit Birmingham on Thursday, 8th March, International Women's Day.


The day will fittingly begin with an event at Millennium Point to celebrate International Women's Day, which aims to inspire the next generation of young women to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). Prince Harry and Ms. Markle will join the young women as they take part in building apps and touchpads, before hearing more about their motivations to pursue STEM subjects.


This engagement will have very much been planned with Meghan's advocacy work for women in mind. I first became interested in blogging about Meghan when I saw the stirring speech she gave on International Women's Day 2015 at the UN International Women's Conference.


During the powerful speech, she said:

'UN Women, as you guys know, has defined the year 2030 as the expiration date for gender inequality. And here’s what’s staggering, the studies show that at the current rate, the elimination of gender inequality won’t be possible until 2095. That’s another eighty years from now. And when it comes to women’s political participation and leadership the percentage of female parliamentarians globally has only increased by 11% since 1995. 11 percent in 20 years? Come on. This has to change. Women make up more than half of the world’s population and potential, so it is neither just nor practical for their voices, for our voices, to go unheard at the highest levels of decision-making.
The way we change that, in my opinion, is to mobilize girls and women to see their value as leaders, and to support them in these efforts. To have leaders such as President Kagame of Rwanda continue to be a role model of a country which has a parliamentary system comprised of 64% female leaders. I mean, it’s the highest of any government in the world and it’s unbelievable. 
Women need a seat at the table, they need an invitation to be seated there, and in some cases, where this is not available, well then you know what, they need to create their own table. We need a global understanding that we cannot implement change effectively without women’s political participation.'

Prince Harry and Ms. Markle will then visit Nechells Wellbeing Centre to join Birmingham's Coach Core apprentices as they take part in a training masterclass led by Create Development. The Coach Core apprenticeship scheme was designed by The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry to train young people aged 16 - 24 with limited opportunities to become sports coaches and mentors within their communities.


Reminder: We'll see Meghan on Wednesday when she joins William, Kate and Harry to take part in the first annual Royal Foundation Forum. The foursome will appear on stage together to discuss why The Royal Foundation was set up, the projects they are currently working on, and their ambitions for the future. The theme of the day is 'Making a Difference Together'. Meghan will formally become the fourth patron of the Royal Foundation after the wedding.

32 comments:

  1. That's great! A new engagement!!!Meghan and Hary will be amazing once more!

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  2. I loved Meghan's speech, I think she bought me with that completely.

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  3. Great news that we have another date to look forward to!

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  4. Wonderful news! Can´t wait for their next engagements! Very exciting!!

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  5. It is just amazing to see such a happy look on Harry! And to think MM and Harry are doing so much so soon. And on the lighter side, I'm wondering if MM will wear a dress on Wednesday or perhaps a pants outfit of a different color. I'm thinking dark blue or maroon. And on a really light side, on reading reports of who is invited or not to the wedding, when you have 800 guests---even if you say just hello,, nice to see you, that could take 15 seconds and that would mean 3.3 hours to say hello to everyone.

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    1. We don’t know if they will have 800 guests, that’s just how many the church seats. Edward and Sophie had about 550, I think.

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    2. @Allison - I hope she'll wear trousers again...but better tailored ones than last time. Those trousers from the last outing were just way too long, IMO.

      I also hope she will break up so much black or dark colors. Like, I liked when she wore that brown tartan top in Cardiff, and would prefer a colored top if she's going with black trousers again. I feel like she would look good in almost any color! I get that she is probably trying to not be too ostentatious before marriage - because she has work lots of color in the past! - but some color would be nice.

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    3. I would love to see her in more color too. Brown tartan top? It was black and white.

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    4. The last time The Foundation trio gathered and discussed Heads Together, it was out-doors. They highlighted their interest as Harry’s Invictus games, soldiers and PTSD; Kate- mental health /children; and William’s cause, bereavement. Meghan may take up women and girls’ causes especially since International Women’s Day will be following the Feb. 28 forum. Her travels before she met Harry will make some interesting points too (She had obviously experienced The Commonwealth by an interesting coincidence. If only she knew it was to be a glimpse of her destiny).

      Style for the February 28 forum: I think she will wear a mix& match or coordinated skirt/ dress suit, may be business casual chic in non-pants. Some earth tone clothes highlighted with colorfully mellow accessories or minimal jewelry. Or it is my imagination, for she may go for black clothes. There will be some black in there may be.

      Looking forward with anticipation and best wishes for Wednesday, February 28…

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    5. @Anon - oh, isn't that funny, it came across as tan undertones to me on screen. Black and white then, I stand corrected.

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    6. I changed my mind. She may do earth tone on March 8. Feb 28, she may wear shades of blue with white. May be? My attempt at resisting black is ironic. My closet is full of it in winter, and Meghan did me a big favor. When I became tired of black clothes on her, I realized others might have been tired of my black clothes as well. Black clothes in winter had continued to keep me in good style. Since then I followed my own suggestion to her and added some colorful winter tops.

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  6. Yes, I love how Meghan and Harry are using their platform to help woman on the professional level.

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  7. Ms Markle won me with that UN speech in 2015. Thanks, Charlotte for keeping us well informed.

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    1. Me Too! :) I listened to it for the first time when Charlotte first posted it. I had previously not known about Meghan. When I watched the speech & listened to all that she said, I was like Aha! Now I get it! :) I really look forward to The Wedding, but more so I'm looking forward to watching Meghan & Harry carve out their life together & to watch what they will do! What a Team! I'm really looking forward to the 28th!

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    2. I love her saying, (paraphrasing) if women don't have a seat at the table, well then they need to build their own table.....

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    3. I don't think she originated the phrase, but it is a good one. (see projecteve, Chicago Women's Development...) DIYers have adopted it for literal application-a carpentry project- but I like the figurative use. Melissa Pierce went to a computer conference and was met by a wall of men, one of whom said (paraphrasing) there was no room for (women) at the table. There was literally no place for her to sit, but apparently the thought was there was no room in the computer field for women. She proceeded to build her own table.

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  8. I'm so glad they are hitting the ground running. I can't wait to see Meghan and Kate together, hopefully they will be sitting next to each other. I would love it if Meghan wore a sharp pencil skirt, boots and maybe a sweater given the cold snap in the UK. Although I would not fault her for wearing pants, I would love to see something different! I'm glad about Birmingham. Get out, be seen and meet the people.

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    1. I feel like seeing the 4 of them up there will be like "Christmas Come Early"! :)

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    2. It should be so great. I imagine they'll have to keep from kidding around. And MM will have to pretend that she's not the best speaker to be polite. What if they're color coordinated? :)

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    3. She really is amazing in the way that she expresses herself & tells a personal story. I have found that people who act, can't always express themselves well off the cuff. Also, the gift of being able to formulate one's thoughts & tell a personal story don't seem to go hand in hand with being an actor. One can notice this when actors are given interviews or if they are asked questions about themselves. Just what I've observed. I think her talents are very specific to what is needed, with regards to what the 4 want to achieve as The Royal Foundation! I believe she will truly be an asset!

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    4. 🌸 lol RIGHT. Allison. It will take exerted effort for Meghan not to run away with the stage. She’s a trained, experienced professional.

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  9. Wow, I love the idea of the Coach Core apprentices! Training young people to be mentors, coaches, and leaders within their communities. I really love that. Maybe it's my own negligence (although I do follow the royals more than the average person, I'd say), but I wish that the Royal Foundation was better at advertising the organizations they've "designed" (like Coach Core). This is one area I feel their PR falls waaaay flat - they are not good at being clear at what exactly the Royal Foundation does. I had initially thought that they just sort of collected money and gave it out to interesting causes, or partnered with existing charities to bring them publicity...but this sounds like they are actually creating charitable endeavors, right?

    Anyway, I feel like my thoughts are a bit jumbled, but that whole Royal Foundation has always seemed a bit murky to me. I'm glad we'll get to hear more about its workings on Wednesday with the foursome. I'm also really hoping that on Wednesday Meghan will give us some details on which charities/areas she will be focusing on or partnering with after the wedding. I can't wait to hear more details.

    I also have to say that I love the pace that Meghan is keeping up before the wedding. Seems to be every 1-2 weeks and that when they do engagements they are sort of all day or most of the day long, not just 45 minutes. Also, it seems clear she has been holding meetings and even meeting with people (Grenfell tower survivors) in private. I'm so glad that Harry married a woman who is used to working and who wants to work.

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    1. MizBev from Colorado27 February 2018 at 00:08

      There seems to be a lot of information on the Royal Foundation's website.

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    2. I think the Royal Foundation has been nebulous, which is why the event is happening on Wednesday. Harry went to the Obama foundation event last year, and now this is happening for the first time. I was surprised to see it happening with Meghan's involvement before the wedding, but given that they will almost certainly ask for donations instead of wedding gifts I think they are putting a spot light on the foundation now and talking about Meghan's involvement now so it is public before people decide how big of a number to write on those checks.

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  10. I just rewatched Meghan's Speech. It's amazing to me that was only 3years ago. Think how much bigger her platform has become. It warms my heart that Harry & Meghan found each other. I can only imagine how much they will achieve together! I mean Wow!

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  11. Since apparently Meghan has decided to avoid colours as a royal fiancée, here are a few no-colour looks I’d like for a royal on official engagements:
    https://n.nordstrommedia.com/ImageGallery/store/product/Zoom/10/_101663310.jpg?crop=pad&pad_color=FFF&format=jpeg&w=391&h=600&quality=70
    https://n.nordstrommedia.com/ImageGallery/store/product/Zoom/11/_102532791.jpg?crop=pad&pad_color=FFF&format=jpeg&w=391&h=600&quality=70
    https://gloimg.zafcdn.com/zaful/pdm-product-pic/Clothing/2017/11/02/thumb-img/1509576758971457999.jpg
    https://images.dresshead.com/images/Gray%20Sweaters/5175049/large/1.jpg
    https://a.1stdibscdn.com/archivesE/upload/v_435/45_14/248598/248598_l.jpeg

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  12. Meghan is. Fantastic and i. Love her speech. Such inspiring one looking forward next enagement

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  13. https://images.dresshead.com/images/Gray%20Sweaters/5175049/large/1.jpg really looks like something she would be gorgeous in. What if she wears these cool things for hanging around the palace and lets us see only B&W? :)

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    1. Oh, she’s got some great things in her closet. And her shoe collection is fabulous, one of her fashion blogs identified them.
      I don’t understand why she doesn’t use some of those things.

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  14. Amazing!! Can’t wait to see the “fab four” in action. I’m an Australian living in Canada and love the new generation of royals. Being brought up in an Monarchist family I have always respected what they do and even more so now! Bravo!!!

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  15. Maybe someone can answer this for me. Is there a reason Meghan couldn't continue her work with the UN ? I'm sure I've read that a few European royal ladies, advocate causes as ambassadors for UN. Maxima of the Netherlands,Mathilde of Belgium. A few countries that come under the UN flag, are also part of the Commonwealth, so it would make for an ideal setting, if Meghan could find her niche, working on behalf of both. Maybe someone on here knows if that could be possible or if not.

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  16. Meghan has a wonderful way with words. I love how she said that "women don't have to find a voice, they already have a voice". I think that keeping her work with the UN would be absolutely VITAL. These Fab Four have the potential to rock the world. Maybe it is time for Europe's modern young royals to take over from greedy and corrupt politicians who care nothing about the everyday person. Oh, and I like her dress too. Very much :-)

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Welcome to Mad About Meghan! We do so look forward to reading your thoughts. Constructive, fair debate is always encouraged. Hateful, derogatory terms and insults are not welcome here. This space focuses on Harry and Meghan, not any other member of the Royal family. It's not the place to discuss politics either. Thank you for reading, we look forward to your comments :)