MEGHAN Markle last night made her first TV appearance since her bombshell Oprah interview as she said the “road ahead is brighter”.
The Duchess of Sussex, 39, spoke about issues concerning the Covid pandemic at the Vax Live concert.
Read our Meghan and Harry live blog for the latest updates
Meghan, who is expecting her second child, acted as a campaign chair of the event to support the global vaccination effort with Prince Harry.
Speaking via a video message, she said: “The past year has been defined by communities coming together tirelessly and heroically to tackle Covid-19. We’ve gathered tonight because the road ahead is getting brighter.
“But it’s going to take every one of us to find our way forward. As campaign chairs of Vax Live, my husband and I believe it’s critical that our recovery prioritises the health, safety and success of everyone – and particularly women, who have been disproportionately affected by this pandemic.”
Meghan, who looked smart in a red floral shirt dress, also spoke about her pregnancy as she cradled her bump.
She said: “My husband and I are thrilled to soon be welcoming a daughter.
“It’s a feeling of joy we share with millions of other families around the world. When we think of her, we think of all the young women and girls around the globe who must be given the ability and the support to lead us forward.
“Their future leadership depends on the decisions we make and the actions we take now to set them up, and set all of us up, for a successful, equitable, and compassionate tomorrow. … We want to make sure that as we recover, we recover stronger. That as we rebuild, we rebuild together.”
Meghan also slammed the “surge in gender-based violence” and “new obstacles that “have reversed so much progress for women in the workplace”.
She claimed the world is at an “inflection point for gender equity” told viewers that “women, and especially women of colour, have seen a generation of economic gain wiped out”.
The duchess added: “But if we work together to bring vaccines to every country and continent, insist that vaccines are equitably distributed and fairly priced, and ensure that governments around the world are donating their additional vaccines to countries in need, then we can begin to fully rebuild.
“Not only to restore us to where we were before, but to go further, and rapidly advance the conditions, opportunity, and mobility for women everywhere.”
The Vax Live concert – hosted by Selena Gomez – saw acts such as Foo Fighters, Jennifer Lopez and H.E.R perform at the Lo-Fi stadium in LA.
It was Meghan’s first TV appearance since her and Harry’s sensational interview with Oprah in March.
Harry appeared in person at the concert as he warned against the “politicisation” of Covid vaccines.
The Duke of Sussex said the world “must ensure” everyone has equal access to the jab “otherwise none of this works”.
He added: “I think the most worrying thing for me and my wife is science being politicised.
“When we’re talking about life and death, which we’re talking about now, vaccines cannot be politicised.”
The royal also praised heroes who have been working on the frontline but said the pandemic “cannot end unless we act collectively with an unprecedented commitment to our shared humanity”.
Harry said: “We are at a defining moment in the global fight against Covid 19.
“Tonight is a celebration of each of you here, the vaccinated frontline workers in the audience and the millions of frontline heroes around the world.
“You spent the last year battling courageously and selflessly to protect us all. You served and sacrificed, put yourselves in harm’s way and with bravery knowing the costs.
“We owe you an incredible depth of gratitude, thank you.”
Harry last week got a standing ovation as he spoke ahead of the concert – with the US gushing: “He belongs to us now”.
It is the glitziest event the pair have taken place in since they left the UK for the US last year when they stepped down as senior royals.
Multiple organisations have thrown their weight behind the campaign – including WHO and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
