The Duchess of
Sussex has been pictured looking pensive and worried following the US
Supreme Court’s ruling last week that overturned Roe v Wade.
A photo released
by Prince Harry and Meghan’s non-profit organization, Archewell,
showed the Duchess sitting down and holding her phone, with her hand clasped to
her mouth.
She was on the phone with
activist and feminist Gloria Steinem and journalist Jessica Yellin
following the seismic event. Jessica later moderated an interview
for Vogue between the two advocates about the ruling and their own
reproductive rights.
Speaking about women who will
be affected by the trigger laws in certain states, Meghan said: “What does
this tell women? It tells us that our physical safety doesn’t matter, and as a
result that we don’t matter. But we do. Women matter.
“And this is one of the
reasons that I called Gloria immediately. Because in all of it, she reminds me
that when you have anger, you have to channel that energy into something that
makes a difference. That’s what activism is. It’s about how we show
up.”
Asked what she would say to
men who support reproductive rights, the Duchess replied: “Men need to be
vocal in this moment and beyond because these are decisions that affect
relationships, families, and communities at large. They may target women, but
the consequences impact all of us. My husband and I talked about that a lot
over the past few days. He’s a feminist too.”
Gloria then added: “Yes –
I can testify to that since I met him before I met you. He was at a big meeting
I attended and he was advocating for people’s rights.”
Meghan continued: “And
his reaction last week was guttural, like mine. I know that for so many women
right now, there is a sentiment of despair. But again, we have to band together
and not wallow. We have to do the work.”