Meghan makes first public appearance since revealing struggle
The duchess said she thought being part of the Royal Family would not be easy, but assumed it would be "fair".
Wednesday 23 October 2019 07:10, UK
The Duchess of Sussex has been seen for the first time in public since revealing she and Prince Harry are struggling with media attention.
Meghan attended the opening ceremony of the One Young World summit at London's Royal Albert Hall, an event described as a "global forum for young leaders".
It is the first time the duchess has appeared in public since opening up about the difficulties she has faced since marrying Prince Harry a year and a half ago.
The 38-year-old told ITV documentary, Harry & Meghan: An African Journey, which aired on Sunday night, she never thought being part of the Royal Family would be "easy, but I thought it would be fair".
She said when she first met Prince Harry her British friends warned: "'I'm sure he's great but you shouldn't do it because the British tabloids will destroy your life'."
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Meghan said that "in all fairness I had no idea, which probably sounds difficult to understand".
As an American, she "just didn't get it".
Ella Robertson, managing director of One Young World, has worked with Meghan for a number of years and said she admires her staying true to herself.
She told Sky News: "At One Young World she has always been immensely professional but also very authentic and I think if you are an authentic person who is true to yourself that is not going to change whatever role that you are in."
Talking about watching Meghan in the Africa documentary, she added: "I loved seeing her on the ground with all those projects that are clearly very dear to her and also part of the Queen's Commonwealth Trust.
"She was out there championing the work of young leaders which is what we know she'll be doing at One Young World tonight."
The Duke of Sussex, who did not join Meghan at Tuesday's event, reportedly sparked concern from his brother after Harry hinted in the documentary the pair were not on the best of terms.
Answering a question about rumours of a rift with the Duke of Cambridge, he said he and his brother were "on different paths" and have "good days" and "bad days".
Earlier this year, Harry and Meghan split from their joint charity with William and Kate.
The Duke of Sussex said "inevitably stuff happens" - particularly with such a high-profile role and a family that lives under pressure", but added the brothers would always be there for each other.
A Palace source told the BBC that Prince William was concerned about his younger brother and sister-in-law and hopes they are both "all right".
Meghan is vice president of the Queen's Commonwealth Trust, which partnered with One Young World to bring 53 young leaders, out of 2,000 youngsters, to the summit event.
The organisation's website says Meghan is a "long-standing supporter" and joined as a counsellor at the 2014 summit in Dublin, before she met Prince Harry in 2016.
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