Meghan Markle warns ‘we know what’s at stake’ in powerful speech

Meghan Markle didn’t pull any punches in one of her most blunt and honest speeches since quitting as a royal.

Meghan Markle has called on women to vote in this year’s US election with the rallying cry: “We all know what’s at stake.”

The Duchess of Sussex, 39, who has criticised Donald Trump in the past, joined a panel of celebrity speakers for a talk from Michelle Obama’s ‘When We All Vote’ group.

Speaking from her new $20 million Montecito mansion, the duchess said it was an honour to kick-off “my friend” Michelle’s virtual “couch party” on women and voting.

She said: “We vote to honour those who came before us and to protect those that come after us … that’s what community is all about and that’s specifically what this election is all about.

“We all know what’s at stake this year. I know it, I think all of you certainly know it if you are here at this fun event with us.

“You’re just as mobilised and energised to see the change we all need and deserve.

“This fight is worth fighting and we all need to be out there mobilising to have our voices heard.

“If you aren’t part of the solution, you’re part of the problem. If you are complacent, you are complicit.”

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The Duchess of Sussex had a strong message for US women. Picture: Supplied

When We All Vote was set up by the former First Lady to encourage turnout at the ballot box and is meant to be politically neutral.

Meghan first hit out at Mr Trump in 2016, calling him “divisive” and “misogynistic”.

In her talk on Thursday, she blasted attempts at “voter suppression” – something that Mr Trump has been accused of – and said there were problems with the “physical and digital world”.

She added: “We can make a difference in this election and we will make a difference in this election. It is the countdown to the change we would all like to see for the better for our country.”

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The former First Lady is behind the campaign. Picture: Democratic National Convention/AFP

During her appearance, she said although the 19th Amendment was passed 100 years ago, many women didn’t get the chance to vote until much later.

“This week we are recognising the 100th Anniversary of the 19th amendment, which, of course, gave women the right to vote, but not all women, and specifically not women of colour,” she said.

“And as we look at things today, though it had taken decades longer for women of colour to get the right to vote, even today we are watching so many women in different communities who are marginalised still struggling to see that light come to fruition.”

She also pointed out just how the near the crucial polling day actually is.

“We are only 75 days away from Election Day and that is so very close – yet there’s so much work that needs to be done in that time,” Meghan said.

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The Queen and Meghan in 2018.

The royal mum appeared alongside Glamour editor-in-chief Samantha Berry, actor Yvette Nicole Brown, businesswoman Valerie Jarrett and DJ Diamond Kuts.

When We All Vote’s mission is described as being “to increase participation in every election and close the race and age voting gap by changing the culture around voting, harnessing grassroots energy, and through strategic partnerships to reach every American”.

Following right after Meghan was Valerie Jarrett, who said a female president is “just a matter of time”.

“Should it have already happened? You betcha. But why hasn’t it happened?” Ms Jarrett asked. “Because we still live in a pretty sexist country. It’s not that we don’t have talent. Talent is ubiquitous. Opportunity is not.”

Meghan spoke to Marie Claire earlier this month about the importance of voting.

“I know what it’s like to have a voice, and also what it’s like to feel voiceless,” she said.

“I also know that so many men and women have put their lives on the line for us to be heard.”

This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission