The Harry ‘n’ Meghan circus shows no sign of coming to an end

It seemed fitting that, for her return to Britain, Meghan Markle was joined at the One Young World summit in Manchester by none other than Sir Bob Geldof. The presence – on a Monday, no less – of the Boomtown Rats hitmaker-turned-all-purpose humanitarian was designed to show the worthy company that the Duchess of Sussex keeps these days. But it also ran the risk of suggesting that she, too, is in danger of repeating her single greatest hit all too often. Does Meghan still have a loyal audience, or is her schtick in danger of wearing thin?

She decided to be emollient. Although recent press interviews with her have trotted out well-worn attack lines – the Royal Family are awful, I’m a victim – there was less sign of the woe-is-me incarnation of Meghan on stage in Manchester. Clad in the kind of statement red ensemble that fashion watchers describe as ‘bold’, and others might term simply ‘provocative’, it was clear within seconds of her beginning her speech that she was no scarlet woman. Au contraire, on the day that Liz Truss was named Britain’s third female Prime Minister, the Duchess decided that her text would be a simple one: women all over the world were being held back, and this was undeniably A Bad Thing.

But one does not attend a Meghan Markle speech – her first in Britain since 2020’s Megxit – expecting either profundity or revelation, any more than one would hope for Wildean (or even Trussian) sallies of wit. Instead, the usual messages were hammered home with all the subtlety that seasoned Markle observers have come to expect. Change is ‘positive’ and ‘necessary’. The young delegates were ‘the future’, and the themes of the ‘incredibly inspiring’ event were all about ‘representation, inclusion and access’. In a spectacularly cliché riddled moment, she announced that: ‘We often hear people say the time is now but I'm going to double down on that by saying your time is now. The important work can't wait for tomorrow.’ The cynical might suggest that only the queen of the 24-hour news cycle could speak with such authority about the importance of a message – any message – being broadcast to the world with such urgency.

There were lighter – that is to say more baffling – moments amidst the flotsam and jetsam of worthiness. She confused many of the delegates by light-heartedly referring to her incongruous presence among the One Young World counsellors as being ‘the girl from Suits’, a television programme that she ceased to appear in several years ago. There was then the full Uriah Heep faux-humility – ‘I was so overwhelmed by this experience, I think I even saved my little paper place card that had my name on it. Just proof: proof that I was there, proof that I belonged, because the truth was, I wasn't sure that I belonged’ – before she reiterated her gratitude at being in the present company. 

And then it was onto talking about another young woman who had fled from a country she was unwelcome in. Her subject had escaped from the bombs and bullets of Eritrea; Meghan, of course, equally bravely turned her back on tabloid speculation and unfair treatment in Britain. Yet triumphant exaltation came when the Duchess announced: ‘And yet despite all odds, she like so many still persevered.’ After all, perseverance – whatever its costs – is something that La Markle has excelled in.

Many might have hoped that her husband would make a guest appearance on stage, given his alternately gruff and near-hysterical statements in public of late, which never fail to spark the gaiety of nations. Alas, there was to be no such treat in store, so we were not treated to a reprise of her recent statement that the pair of them were like salt and pepper – ‘we always move together.’ But as he glowered proudly from the front row, it was quite clear that he was happy to play second fiddle – once again? – to his wife in the latest instalment of Brand Sussex.

Sir Bob might have sung about his dislike of Mondays, but as the Duchess gazed proudly around at the adoring masses applauding, it was difficult not to believe that she believed that the day had been a good one. She may have been right. The Harry ‘n’ Meghan circus shows no sign of coming to an end.