
The Duchess of Sussex has joined forces with Annie Lennox to mark International Women's Day with a star-studded panel discussion hosted by the Queen's Commonwealth Trust.

Dressed in a £185 Reiss dress, a £1,245 Alexander McQueen blazer, £495 Manolo Blahnik heels and a £134 Karen Walker heart gold ring, Meghan, who was announced this morning as vice president of the Trust, was joined at the event by model and activist Adwoa Aboah and Julia Gillard, former Prime Minister of Australia.

During the discussion, pregnant Meghan spoke excitedly about 'our little bump' and joked that she could feel the 'embryonic kicking of feminism' inside her.

'I'd seen this documentary on Netflix on feminism and one of the things they said during pregnancy was, 'I feel the embryonic kicking of feminism,'' Meghan said. 'I love that. So boy or girl or whatever it is, we hope that that's the case, our little bump.'

It is thought she was referring to Johanna Demetrakas's 2018 film Feminists – What Were They Thinking? in which comedian Lily Tomlin speaks of the day she felt the 'embryonic kicking of feminism', a term coined by her wife and collaborator Jane Wagner.

She told the panel that once International Women's Day was over she planned to 'put her feet up,' adding: 'I feel that's a deserved treat, especially at this stage of pregnancy.'

The Duchess of Sussex shares a joke with Adwoa Aboah, left, and Julia Gillard, right. Today's event was designed to bring together a special panel of female 'thought-leaders' and activists to discuss obstacles faced by women

Today's event, hosted at King's College London, was designed to bring together a special panel of female 'thought-leaders' and activists to discuss some of the most pressing issues affecting women today

L-R Model and activist Adwoa Aboah, former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, the Duchess of Sussex, journalist Anne McElvoy and CAMFED regional director Angeline Murimirwa pose before todays' panel discussion

...and Harry benefits from 'gender stereotype shifting'! Prince Harry has embraced ‘gender stereotype shifting’, his wife suggested. Meghan said: ‘For men to understand they can be feminists as well, I think when we talk about gender stereotype shifting... what it means to be masculine, what it means to be feminine. ‘You can be feminine and feminist. You can be masculine, and in terms of masculinity you understand your strength includes knowing your vulnerabilities. And your sense of self and security, your confidence, comes in knowing that a woman by your side, not behind you, is something you shouldn’t be threatened about but opposed to that. You should feel really empowered in having that additional support – that this is really about us working together. ‘That’s what gender equality means for me, and having men part of that conversation, saying there’s nothing threatening about a woman coming up to the same level… that’s gender neutral, if you really think about it. So I hope that men are part of the conversation. My husband certainly is.’ Advertisement

Meghan also claimed she does not read newspapers or engage with Twitter to avoid getting 'muddled' by the 'noise', whether positive or negative.

Meghan was asked by the chairwoman, Anne McElvoy, senior editor of The Economist, how she responded to newspaper headlines describing her feminism as 'trendy' and whether it was 'water off a duck's back'.

The duchess said: 'I don't read anything, it's much safer that way, but equally that's just my own personal preference, because I think positive or negative, it can all sort of just feel like noise to a certain extent these days, as opposed to getting muddled with that to focus on the real cause.

'So for me, I think the idea of making the word feminism trendy, that doesn't make any sense to me personally, right? This is something that is going to be part of the conversation forever.'

When asked later if she looked at Twitter she replied: 'No, sorry no. For me that's my personal preference.'

Today's event, hosted at King's College London, was designed to bring together a special panel of female 'thought-leaders' and activists to discuss some of the obstacles faced by women today.

The duchess was greeted on arrival with a somewhat awkward kiss from Lord Geidt, former Private Secretary to the Queen and current chairman of the Queen's Commonwealth Trust.

The Duchess of Sussex arrives at King's College London this morning. She was greeted on arrival with a somewhat awkward kiss from Lord Geidt, former Private Secretary to the Queen and current chairman of the Queen's Commonwealth Trust

Queen of accessorising! Meghan, who is eight months pregnant, teamed her head-to-toe monochrome ensemble with a Stella McCartney bag and Manolo Blahnik heels as she arrived at King's College London on Friday afternoon. She was greeted on arrival by university principal Professor Edward Byrne (far right) and Lord Geidt, former Private Secretary to the Queen

Meghan is joined by L-R Anne McElvoy, Annie Lennox, Adwoa Aboah, Julia Gillard, Angeline Murimirwa and Chrisann Jarrett on a panel to discuss issues facing women, organised by the Queen's Commonwealth Trust on Friday

The Duchess of Sussex spoke passionately during today's panel discussion. According to onlookers, Meghan said she agreed with co-panellist Lennox that women 'must be global feminists and include men and boys'

The Duchess of Sussex sat in between Adwoa Aboah, left, and Julia Gillard, right. Meghan, who is eight months pregnant, teamed her sixties-inspired 'Azzura' dress with a £540 Stella McCartney bag and £495 Manolo Blahnik 105 BB pumps

Meghan, who is eight months pregnant, teamed her sixties-inspired 'Azzura' dress with a £540 Stella McCartney bag, £495 Manolo Blahnik 105 BB pumps and a pair of £2,700 Jessica McCormack earrings.

It is the first time the 37-year-old has stepped out in Reiss, the UK label loved by her sister-in-law the Duchess of Cambridge, while her tailored McQueen blazer is an old favourite.

According to onlookers, Meghan said she agreed with co-panellist Lennox that women 'must be global feminists and include men and boys'.

She also told audience members: 'If there's a justice and a lack of inequality someone needs to say something - and why not you?'

In her new role the duchess joins her husband Harry, who is president of the Trust, while the Queen is its patron of the body which aims to champion, fund and connect young leaders around the world.

While speaking with model and activist Adwoa Aboah (left), Meghan spoke excitedly about 'our little bump' and joked that she could feel the 'embryonic kicking of feminism' inside her

Meghan joined a panel of campaigners and activists at today's IWD event. It is the first time the 37-year-old has stepped out in Reiss, the UK label loved by her sister-in-law the Duchess of Cambridge, while her McQueen blazer is an old favourite

During today's International Women's Day panel discussion at King's College London, the Duchess of Sussex told audience members: 'If there's a justice and a lack of inequality someone needs to say something - and why not you?'

The Duchess of Sussex at King's College London on Friday. During the discussion, Meghan spoke excitedly about 'our little bump' and joked that she could feel the 'embryonic kicking of feminism' inside her

Speaking alongside a panel of leading women and activists this afternoon, Meghan said: 'I'd seen this documentary on Netflix on feminism and one of the things they said during pregnancy was, 'I feel the embryonic kicking of feminism.' I love that. So boy or girl or whatever it is, we hope that that's the case, our little bump'

Meghan has previously discussed feminism and gender equality on her now-defunct blog The Tig, as well as writing a piece on the impact of menstrual health on girls' education for TIME magazine.

Since joining the royal family she has made women's issues a cornerstone of her public work and was recently announced as patron of Smart Works, which provides support for unemployed and vulnerable women.

Today's panel, chaired by The Economist's Anne McEvoly, included activists Chrisann Jarrett, founder of Let us Learn, and Angeline Murimirwa, executive director of the Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED) in Africa.

Appearing in front of an audience of students and young leaders, Meghan discussed the importance of International Women's Day, and the spotlight it can bring to obstacles which still affect female empowerment across the world.

The panel spoke about issues including access to education and limitations within employment, also covering the positive opportunities that come when women are given wider access and equal opportunity, both in the UK and elsewhere in the world.

Meghan arrives for today's panel discussion at King's College London. Since marrying into the royal family she has made women's issues a cornerstone of her royal work and was recently announced as patron of Smart Works

Meghan arrives at King's College London on Friday. Dressed in a white floral dress and black blazer, Meghan, who was announced this morning as vice president of the QCT, was also joined by model and activist Adwoa Aboah

Wearing her hair in a signature messy bun, Meghan is all smiles as she arrives at King's College London. Since marrying into the royal family she has made women's issues a cornerstone of her royal work and was recently announced as patron of Smart Works, which provides support for unemployed and vulnerable women

The Duchess of Sussex makes a glamorous entrance at this morning's International Women's Day event. Meghan is an ardent feminist and previously discussed gender equality on her now-defunct blog The Tig, as well as writing a piece on the impact of menstrual health on girls' education for TIME magazine

The Duchess of Sussex was greeted by university officials after arriving at King's College this morning. Meghan, who is eight months pregnant, teamed her sixties-inspired 'Azzura' dress with a Stella McCartney bag, Manolo Blahnik heels and Karen Walker Jewelry

Huge crowds arrived to greet Meghan at the London university this morning. In her new role, Meghan, who is thought to be eight months pregnant, will highlight the QCT's partnerships with young people across the Commonwealth, and in particular its work supporting women and girls

The Duchess of Sussex is all smiles as she arrives for this afternoon's panel discussion. Appearing in front of an audience of students and young leaders, Meghan will discuss the importance of International Women's Day, and the spotlight it can bring to obstacles which still affect female empowerment across the world

Meghan, who was announced this morning as vice president of the QCT, will be joined by model and activist Adwoa Aboah and Julia Gillard, former Prime Minister of Australia today at an International Women's Day panel. She greeted on arrival by university principal Professor Edward Byrne and Lord Geidt, former Private Secretary to the Queen

The panel was organised by the Queen's Commonwealth Trust, an organisation designed to champion, fund and connect young leaders around the world who are serving their communities.

The Trust, of which the Queen is patron and Prince Harry president, is working in partnership with a number of organisations to reach and connect with young people worldwide, and support those that are the most vulnerable.

It focuses on helping those who are driving positive social change, serving their communities and providing hope, work and self-employment opportunities for others.

In her new role, Meghan, who is thought to be eight months pregnant, will highlight the QCT's partnerships with young people across the Commonwealth, and in particular its work supporting women and girls.

Announcing her appointment on Friday morning Lord Geidt, Chairman, said: 'The Queen's Commonwealth Trust is thrilled to welcome the Duchess of Sussex as its Vice President.

Meghan arrives at King's College London this morning wearing a £185 Reiss dress. The panel was organised by the Queen's Commonwealth Trust, an organisation designed to champion, fund and connect young leaders around the world who are serving their communities

Meghan's appearance comes after she was announced as vice president of the QCT. Announcing the news on Friday morning Lord Geidt, Chairman, said: 'The Queen's Commonwealth Trust is thrilled to welcome The Duchess of Sussex as its Vice President'

Meghan arrives at King's College this morning. She was greeted on arrival by university principal Professor Edward Byrne and Lord Geidt (pictured), former Private Secretary to the Queen and current chairman of the Queen's Commonwealth Trust

Wellwishers gather to catch a glimpse of Meghan this morning. Today's panel, chaired by The Economist's Anne McElvoy, included activists Chrisann Jarrett, founder of Let us Learn, and Angeline Murimirwa, executive director of the Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED) in Africa

Large crowds turned out to catch a glimpse of Meghan this morning. She was greeted on arrival by university principal Professor Edward Byrne and Lord Geidt, former Private Secretary to the Queen and current chairman of the Queen's Commonwealth Trust

The Duchess leaving the venue: Dressed in a £185 Reiss dress and £1,245 Alexander McQueen blazer, Meghan was joined at the event on Friday by model and activist Adwoa Aboah and Julia Gillard, former Prime Minister of Australia

Meghan discussed the importance of International Women's Day, and the spotlight it can bring to obstacles which still affect female empowerment across the world

Megha greets crowds after today's discussion. The panel was organised by the Queen's Commonwealth Trust, an organisation designed to champion, fund and connect young leaders around the world who are serving their communities

The Duchess of Sussex is escorted from the venue by Lord Geidt, former Private Secretary to the Queen and current chairman of the Queen's Commonwealth Trust following today's panel discussion for International Women's Day

Meghan leaves today's International Women's Day event. Dressed in a £185 Reiss dress and £1,245 Alexander McQueen blazer, the duchess, who was announced this morning as vice president of the Trust, was joined by a line-up of high-profile women and activists

'The support and encouragement which Her Royal Highness will bring to the young leaders with whom we work promises to have a profound effect.

'We are enormously grateful to The Duke and Duchess of Sussex for this signal of commitment they are making to our work, helping The Queen's Commonwealth Trust to pursue its ambitions right across the Commonwealth and beyond.'

Nicola Brentnall, QCT chief executive, added: 'We are particularly delighted that the first opportunity of formally working together with Her Royal Highness comes on International Women's Day.

'This squares perfectly with our focus on amplifying the work and contribution of those furthest away from power.

'Women across the Commonwealth and the globe often face the biggest impediments to success. So we are delighted to have our Vice President's support in helping others to overcome those obstacles.'