Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, recently paid tribute to the late Gloria Steinem, a prominent feminist activist who passed away at the age of 92. In a heartfelt message shared on her Instagram account on September 3rd, Meghan remembered her friend and mentor, honouring Steinem’s remarkable contributions to women’s rights and social justice.
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The tribute included a touching photograph of Steinem with Meghan’s son, Prince Archie. The image, which has never been publicly seen before, captures a moment when Archie was still a toddler, leaning against a chair while Steinem offered gentle support. To protect his privacy, Archie’s face was obscured with a white heart emoji, reflecting the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s commitment to safeguarding their children’s identities on social media.
Alongside the image of Archie, Meghan shared two other photographs of herself with Steinem, illustrating their deep bond. In her message, she reminisced about their time together: “Spending Thanksgiving with our family, introducing me to one of my best friends (forever the champion of female friendship), loving our children with her whole heart, counselling me during hard times, and giving extraordinary advice and perspective with a cup of tea and an unrivalled cheekiness and wit,” she wrote.
Meghan and Steinem formed a friendship in 2020, collaborating on initiatives that promoted voter participation and gender equality. Their partnership reached a notable milestone in 2023 when Steinem presented Meghan with the Ms. Foundation’s Women of Vision Award during a ceremony in New York City.
In her tribute, the Duchess expressed gratitude for the time they shared and celebrated Steinem’s rich legacy, saying, “Celebrating the life and legacy of my friend and mentor, Gloria Steinem, and also grateful to know that in these last few weeks and days she knew exactly how loved and admired she was.” Meghan highlighted Steinem’s mantra of solidarity, recounting how the activist would say, “we are linked, not ranked,” a sentiment encapsulated in a bracelet she gifted to her.
Additionally, Meghan reflected on their public activism—ambassadorships at interviews, calls for youth voter engagement, and dialogues about creating a more equitable world. Yet, she suggested that Steinem’s private persona was even more endearing. One story that particularly resonated with Meghan involved a young girl who did not recognise Steinem. The activist reportedly responded with heartfelt wisdom, saying, “It doesn’t matter if she knows who I am. What matters is that she knows who SHE is.”
As she concluded her tribute, Meghan thanked Steinem for her indelible impact, writing, “Rest in peace, and rest in pride. Look at what you’ve done for all of us. Thank you.”
In recent news, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have relocated back to the United Kingdom after spending six years in California following their withdrawal from royal duties in 2020. They are now establishing a non-royal residence as their primary base in the UK, with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, aged five, starting school there this month. Despite their return, the couple will maintain their home in California and a holiday property in Portugal.
According to sources, Meghan views this move as a way to provide their children with a multifaceted upbringing, allowing them to experience both British and Californian cultures. Additionally, Prince Harry has expressed a desire for their children to understand the roots and heritage of their family.
Amidst these changes, the Sussexes are not returning to royal roles, focusing instead on their private lives and charitable endeavours, including the causes championed by Steinem. As they navigate this new chapter, both Meghan and Harry remain committed to fostering a nurturing environment for their children while honouring the values they hold dear.