It marks one of the Duchess’ first public speaking engagements since stepping back as a royal.
This morning, it was announced that Meghan Markle will be a featured speaker at the virtual Girl Up Global Leadership Summit next week.
Taking place from July 13-15, the summit (which was slated to take place in Washington DC before the COVID-19 pandemic began) will also feature talks from Michelle Obama and Markle’s friend Priyanka Chopra Jonas. Announcing the news of Markle’s participation on Twitter this morning, Girl Up wrote, “The present is female! But don’t take our word for it. Hear Meghan Markle, The Duchess of Sussex’s advice for global girls leaders when she takes the stage at the 2020 @GirlUp Leadership Summit, happening virtually July 13-15!”
Girl Up was founded in 2010 by the UN Foundation as a way to help UN agencies that focus on supporting and empowering adolescent girls. According to its website, to date it is has “impacted 65,000 girls through 3,500 clubs in nearly 120 countries and all 50 US states.” It adds, “We’re inspiring a generation of girls to be force for gender equality and social change.”
The news follows the announcement a few weeks ago that Prince Harry and Markle had signed with an exclusive speaking agency that also reps the likes of Oprah and the Obamas. At the time, it was suggested that the focus topics for the pair would include racial justice, gender equality, environmental concerns and mental health, making the Girl Up Summit a perfect fit for the Duchess of Sussex.
Tickets to the virtual event are still available. Click here for more information and to see the full line-up of speakers and special guests.