The Duchess of Sussex made a trip to the Robert Clack School in Essex on March 6th, and much of the information was embargoed for a few days for various reasons. The visit was to highlight International Women’s Day, specifically the Each for Equal campaign. Fashion note: her jacket in these photos is Me And Em, shoes are Jennifer Chamandi and her bag is Rejina Pyo. I’m including some photos of Meghan’s visit, plus one of the Instagrams she posted. From the SussexRoyal IG:
50 years ago, women in Britain won the right to equal pay. That monumental moment began with one courageous and inspiring group of women in a factory in Dagenham, England. In 1968, facing a pay settlement that declared them less skilled than men, the sewing machinists of the Ford Motor Company walked out on strike.
In the face of great pressure, they stood firm, and two years later the UK Parliament was forced to pass the Equal Pay Act, protecting and supporting working women ever since.
To mark International Women’s Day, The Duchess of Sussex visited Dagenham to meet with Geraldine Dear, one of the strikers, and spend time with students at the Robert Clack Upper School to meet the town’s next generation of female role models, and talk to young women and men about the women who inspire them.
“Being in Dagenham is incredibly profound. Because as you can see with Geraldine and the other women who had the strength to really stand up for something that they knew needed to be done. This 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.” – The Duchess of Sussex
A lifetime advocate and campaigner for gender equity, The Duchess joined a special assembly to celebrate this remarkable local story, as well as recognise the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of all women around the world. #InternationalWomensDay #IWD2020 #EachForEqual
I’m including a video too. Since I don’t pay attention to whatever make-believe storylines the “haters” are trying to push, I’m only vaguely aware that there was some made-up controversy involving one of the young students and a hug. I don’t care. Meghan’s appearance was lovely.
Photos courtesy of Instagram, Avalon Red.
I am obsessed with this outfit. So classically beautiful and chic. And those shoes!! This is how you wear neutrals. I cannot get over how she is just slaying right and left on this final tour. Kill them with fire, girl!
Right?! What a great look! She’s killed it the past few days!
Her outfit is perfect. She is showing, when you wear a pant with a shorter hem, you show it off with killer heels. Yes duchess!
This outfit is perfection. This is how you do modern royal looks IMO. She looks professional, trendy while being fun.
I never thought Meghan dressed horribly before like a lot of people did. But I really love her outfits the last few days. I definitely see a difference.
I love these shoes.
The students were so so excited to see her! It was lovely to see. I think people underestimate how much of an inspiration she is to kids with minority backgrounds, and they won’t forget how she’s been treated.
@Belli – I think she’s also an inspiration to the white kids who didn’t grow up rich and privileged like Kate, Will, and Harry. I know Meghan was never poor, but she worked embarrassing jobs and struggled to make it, just like many of those students will do.
Good point, Ellie. She’s much more relatable than the stuffy image the rest of the family has.
Meghan never worked embarrassing jobs before she was famous, and neither will those kids. Coming from a working class background and doing honest work is not embarrassing, whether you’re a cleaner or a lawyer. The class divide, rich people’s tax evasion and money hoarding is the real embarrassment of the UK.
Well said, @Annie.
Like @Annie said, honest work is never embarrassing!
I LOVED how excited the kids were to see her! I saw an interview on the BBC where a young girl said that at first she thought it was Kate and then when she saw it was Meghan she was so excited! and happy. I mean look at their faces. The BRF screwed up so badly
Yes, the kids looked excited and *engaged* (which is something you never see in photos of other royals around kids).
Great choice for a WOW visit and loved the ‘hug.’ Thought the male student was definitely thrilled to be on stage with her. And Meghan’s speech to the students was terrific. To quote her….”it is always right to stand up for what is right.” Keep shinning that little light Meghan.
The young man that gave a speech was beyond precious. And a pleasant reminder to those crusty, dusty, musty RRs that the younger generation knows what’s what
What did he say that made the room shriek? Watched several times but can’t catch the words..”she really is..”?
ETA: saw my answer down thread.
“She really is beautiful, innt?
That lad is awesome. There’s an interview with him doing the rounds and more than anything else, I think his mum must be an incredible woman and should feel very proud.
Thanks! I got the gist of it from her reaction, but just couldn’t quite get the word. Kudos to the young man for being poised enough to risk a compliment and nail it.
The student who got up was on Good Morning Britain, talking about his experience in meeting the Duchess of Sussex and how his mother is such an inspiration to him. Piss morgan was there as well, saying how Aker’s ego must be so big. Piss morgan must have been so jealous as he can only dream of getting close to Meghan now.
It was a surprisingly nice interview, given it was with the Parasite Morgan:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=M9zI009t_QY
I watched it on their IG page and when Meghan went to introduce Aker, everyone in the auditorium turned around and though that Harry was coming out. HA !!!
It was just so cute.
It was, I still can’t stand piss morgan though.
I absolutely love and adore it when I hear people calling “him” Piss Morgan – Nobel Prize in Literature for whoever came up with this.
I really love this look!
So much love for her in those rooms … makes you see how much of the hate was manufactured by the press.
I feel this 100%. The press hate was far greater than hate from the general population.
Yup. I’ve been saying this for a while now.
Pinapple, did you read the link Friday — I think — that a fellow celebitchy posted from an Irish reporter about how horrible she found the RR on the press bus for Cambridge tour? All about their horrible comments about Meghan and Kate. Based on their comments, the RR never were going to give Meghan a chance. Worth the read.
Ooh, I meant to but didn’t. Honestly, the whole thing just makes me so angry and sad. Right? The Royal Family, the courtiers, the reporters … Bleck.
It makes sense Meg and Harry can no longer use the word Royal … they are not ars;hol€ enough. ❤️
Those shoes are everything! And that bag! Slay Duchess!
Amazing Duchess.
Just here to say …Those SHOES ❤️
Yes, those shoes are the bomb. I love Meghan’s entire look, and I can see myself copying it. I need those shoes.
You could wear any of these pieces in so many ways.She’s looked beautiful this whole tour(or whatever they are calling it)but this ensemble is hands down the best for style and versatility IMO.
She’s KILLING it. Clothes are amazing, her ability to connect, be personal, eloquent, human… she’s a HUGE loss to the BRF. She’s such a superstar. I wonder what W&K will do in retaliation.
They’re going to cut ribbons and wear buttons and sit on tree stump chairs and look miserable with one another like a proper royal couple is supposed to do. That’ll show them!
No, Kate will probably receive another order and maybe a new necklace. Willie will tend to his rose garden and keep leaking scathing tidbits to his pal Dan Wooten.
To recap their trip to Ireland, they pretended to drink Guinness and Kate held a loaf of bread and stared at it longingly.
Hey Sandra — I did read one surprising comment from a RR who said even she could see how great Meghan was at public functions compared to having just watched ‘Kate nervously and uncomfortably sip Guinness’ at a function on recent tour of Ireland. Article still trashed Meghan for being confident, but I found that comment interesting because it shows how Kate actually was at the function compared to how the RR spun her performance when they wrote about the event. Obviously RR reporter was rushed and didn’t edit it out as I thought it was an unconscious bit of truth-telling.
+1
I love it. Go Megan!!
She has looked stunning through her entire trip. I miss seeing her work for the BRF. She makes it look effortless. And most of all I love her shoe game.
She looks good, good, good…love this whole get-up! I’m happy for her!
Her hair is to die for.
Wait, what controversy is there with the young man she hugged? He said she was beautiful and then gave a lovely bit on what women’s day means. So…??????
Its actually funny to me bc it shows the sheer desperation of the RRs. Some of them were trying to make it like Meghan kissed him on the lips, and then making all sorts of gross comments along those lines. Then someone (maybe the boy in question?) made it clear that didn’t happen so the RRs had to backtrack. Palmer was like “sometimes we get it wrong” and its like YOU GET IT WRONG ALL THE TIME. It was the stupidest thing and pretty gross too like I said but it ended up being funny in a way because the RRs looked so dumb.
YES — the story: ‘Oh my God, a biracial, soon to be ex-royal touched a black man. The horror, but stay tuned for our coverage on Queen’s diversity speech.’
Just nonsense about it being inappropriate to give a full hug to a student – mostly people saying teachers know to only give side hugs or a brief part way hug. But it is far, far different between a teacher who sees a student daily and wants to make sure no inappropriate behavior is accused or students misinterpreting things than a Duchess making a one time visit and hugging a child in full view of the media, staff, etc.
Basically, her haters are trying to make it sound like she’s as bad as His Royal Highness Pedo Andy.
Robert Clack school is not in Essex but in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.One of the poor boroughs in East London, to reach it she would have passed through the real dumping ground areas of London. At the moment in the UK due to the Coronavirus and the number of cases in London close contact is not encouraged .The area built between two wars ,was for many years the largest social housing projects in Western Europe. Built to house the workers of what was once a thriving auto Industry (Ford) + a large chemical co not to mention the docks.All of these have now gone.Sadly today its not a place you really choose to live but where your dumped.I’m sure her visit delighted these kids and will be remembered for many years to come. Dagenhams most famous son was the lovely late Dudley More, who spent most of his childhood about ten minutes walk away from the school.
Deleted
He actually didn’t even kiss her on the cheek. Video shot from another angle shows that that didn’t happen. Just more sexualization of Meghan’s motives. Disgusting. Hence Palmolive’s “Oops we sometimes get it wrong” nonsense.
Love that Palmolive handle for Palmer, GuestWho! I always want to stick a bar of soap in his mouth every time he opens it. Or, at the very least wash my hands. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
The kids were so excited and touched to see her. I love that she didn’t just do a quick drop by for a photo op but spoke to the kids and spent time with various groups including the debate team.
On a side note, the movie Made in Dagenham tells the story of the fight for equal pay and is really good.
She looked amazing here – this is the kind of look where she really nails it, in my opinion. Business/professional chic.
Looks aside, this was a great visit. the excitement from the students was so obvious. One student said she saw her getting out of the car and could just see the hair and she thought it was going to be Kate, and then she realized it was Meghan and OMG SHE GOT TO MEET MEGHAN SHE LOVES MEGHAN!!!! It cracked me up because she was just like “meh I thought it was going to be Kate but ITS MEGHAN!!!!!!!”
Omid Scobie posted a picture from the event with a personal comment about how much the royal family is missing out on with Meghan’s departure. I remember his comment about the picture with the Queen, Meghan, doria, Archie etc – he said something about how much that picture meant to him and every non-white person in the UK – and I could feel his sadness at her leaving. He obviously likes the Sussexes but overall does a good job (I think) of not being biased towards them, he’s not the Sussexes Rebecca English – but he also obviously just appreciated Meghan’s impact as a royal, which none of the other white RRs were able to do.
Yes! The SHADE of that little girl cracked me up. It was so telling though of how inspirational and exciting Meghan is to the younger generation and Kate only wishes she could.
Agree her business casual is on point. I’m not even a shoe person, and love this.
I thought the biggest take-away was her statement that men have to stand up for the women in their lives. I just loved it for the reference to how Harry stood up for her. This is not subtle and yet I’m sure not everyone is going to connect the dots that she’s also talking about Harry and her own situation.
Take a look at the video in their Instagram post highlighting Meghan’s school visit. The background song is the same from their wedding, “This little light of mine I’m gonna let it shine.” The Sussexes are sending an unmistakable message that they’re not going to let anyone dim their light.
This was such a great visit. She was completely at ease with the students and them with her. It was wonderful to see. I do feel bad for the young brits that saw themselves in Meghan, especially the girls, for the loss. This has been a great farewell tour in all aspects.
She is so accessible, you can see why Harry loves her, and why it is such a shame that the royals didn’t welcome her with open arms and treat her more kindly. They will be the losers in this whole fiasco.
I saw a hug, it was in the news here in Germany, it was so funny/cute! I laughed out loud at the face the boy made , when she hugged him
It was absolutely touching how she interacted with everyone. I wasn’t going to click on the video but I’m glad I did. She’s absolutely amazing and genuine with people.
The Royal Fam really did have a bad bitch. They just totally didn’t know how to deal with her. Their loss.
You should watch the video. It is adorable. The kids were so excited to have her there.
I also love the interview with the girl who greeted her with flowers. She said the first thing she saw when Meghan got out of the car was the hair so she thought it was Kate and then she realized it was Meghan. ‘OMG, I’m going to meet Meghan. She is my idol.’
Love the overall look but I’m not a fan of the fringed edges on blazers generally. Still a great look especially the shoes & the color palette!
And the babies were so excited! Loved Olivia, Reneé and Rhianna talking about her today & of course cheeky Aker with the “She’s beautiful, innit” and the boy with the green tie showing her to do the school hand symbol and completely melting down with his friends with happiness when he spoke to her.
Ugh! Such a joyous visit! So sad to see them go because of the sh*try jealous behavior coming out of the palaces & press. I hope they continue to do major things once they’re free of the scoundrels.
I saw some ugly comments from faux feminists slating her speech for saying men must protect the women in their lives (I’m paraphrasing because I’m running out of time to sit and post). Well as a feminist who knows that Meghan and Harry are probably still thinking about what they saw and heard in South Africa and who know like the rest of us the dangers faced by women and girls the world over, especially in India where protests have taken place recently, I think her remarks are completely appropriate. I thought she was also smart to be so inclusive to men and boys and speak of them and to them as allies in the fight against gender based violence and oppression.
People have to really go the extra mile to nitpick this woman because she is just that competent and has her stuff together.
Feminist here – we need men in this world to understand that women deserve their support and protection, not harassment and having our worth be nullified. Break the boy code, locker room talk BS. Not sure why people don’t get that.
Absolutely, Guest with Cat!
Oh Lordy. There really is no one like her in the BRF…
Their absence is only going to make the heart’s of those that love them grow fonder. I hope they recognize the impact they have and do continue to have on the British people that adore them and will try to return as often as they can. It must be so hard to exist in such an entrenched system, but I hope with this particular visit she does feel she made a difference, she was embraced, and that she still holds a very special place in the heart’s of so many citizens.
The interaction with the students was a delight to watch. She’s so natural, so at ease.
I know I’m repeating myself, but here I go: hearing Meghan speak about the causes she represents is always a pleasure, you can tell she genuinely cares.
I can’t believe they forced her to leave, a woman who actually does her job!
On a superficial note, I love the way she’s dressed so far. Either she finally found herself again after giving birth or the hate was really getting to her, but she is glowing now.
Gosh she looked AMAZING🥰,I cant believe they chased away this gem. So many black brits like myself felt a connection with this archaic institution but now I only feel sadness and anger. WHY? Why couldn’t they support them?
Wonderful! However this is so bittersweet. The UK has lost someone that could have helped make a difference for so many.
As opposed to simply cutting ribbons.
She looks beautiful all around on this farewell tour. And she is such a good speaker. Kate would never go off the cuff like that and really engage folks in her speech. Never. I am truly going to miss seeing these two on their royal duties but I look forward to what comes in the spring!
She’s stunning and looked every inch a royal, but that visit, those kids, her words, generosity and appreciation truly define her presence. She seems to shine from within, and that’s what sets her apart from the royal in-law pretenders, criminals and racists.
Wow, she’s incredibly gifted at public speaking, connecting with her audience, all while coming across as genuine and really interested in the people and subject. The BRF really missed out on an amazing lady. She looked modern and fresh but I think she touched her hair way too much. But I can’t take my eyes off her. She really does have star power. I hope she and Harry are very happy in their life away from these toxic old farts.
Such a good outfit!! I love those shoes so much! And this is a reminder that the RF really messed up. Nobody left in that family has this type of connection with the youth, especially youth of color.
She does look beautiful.
And, am I the only one creeped out by adulation?
You know what would have been a good way for Britain to celebrate International Womens’ Day? Bringing Andrew to justice.
The school visit seemed to have an awesome energy. Three of the girls who met Meghan were interviewed on a BBC show and oh my how bright& poised they were. Wish I was at that age. They talked about how it was nice she visited a working class area that is struggling& how inspired they were by her visit. One girl called Olivia had the best response on how Meghan can keep on empowering others wherever she was https://twitter.com/VictoriaLIVE/status/1236970031101235201?s=20
https://twitter.com/VictoriaLIVE/status/1236971223650893827?s=20
I love this event, how she connected with the kids, her spontaneity, and how she put everyone at ease. Such good energy. She really gives 100% to her events and causes. Plus she looked fabulous doing it. Her outfit was elegant and so her. My favorite look of the trip, that and the umbrella moment.