Meghan Markle Speaks Out On George Floyd’s Death In a Commencement Address

You may remember that not too long ago Prince Harry and Meghan Markle left Canada to make their home in Los Angeles. We were already in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, and the city of Los Angeles was on lockdown.

While we have not heard a lot about the couple’s life after giving up their roles as senior members of the royal family, we do know the name of a book their son Archie loves. Now, we also know how Markle feels about the current situation in the United States.

Currently, the United States is dealing with more than one crisis. The pandemic is not over, but the death of George Floyd has led to many protests around the country, some which have been peaceful and some which have been violent. Los Angeles has definitely experienced its fair share of protests and destruction this past week. 

Living in L.A., Markle has witnessed first hand the city and county-wide curfews, some nights as early as 5pm. She has seen and heard the protests, but this isn’t exactly new for her. Markle was about 11 years old when the L.A. riots occurred, and at 38-years-old, she still remembers them vividly.

Markle had been silent about the current protests, but recently she gave a virtual commencement speech at the virtual graduation ceremony for Immaculate Heart High School. This is the same school where Markle attended both middle and high school when she was growing up.

In the speech, Markle shared that the current protests remind her a lot of the L.A. riots. She remembers seeing people with guns, seeing smoke and fires and rushing home before curfew. She wishes that the current graduating class did not have to experience a version of these things first hand.

Markle said that at first she was hesitant to talk about George Floyd’s death because she didn’t want to say something wrong. Then she realized that “the only wrong thing to say is to say nothing.”

Watch the video below to hear Markle’s feelings about George Floyd’s death and how she encourages the graduating seniors that they can make a difference in the world.

Many people who have seen this video are encouraged by Markle’s words. One comment reads, “WOW…. An Excellent Presentation….. Well done…. I had tears 😭 in my eyes ….. We all need to Vote …. Vote People…. Please.” Another person wrote, “thank you Meghan well put thank you for speaking out and giving us that background of your personal life.”

What are your thoughts about Meghan Markle’s commencement speech?