Meghan says ‘your voice is not small, it just needs to be heard’ during speech

The Duchess of Sussex spoke at the annual SXSW Conference (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press/AP)

The Duchess of Sussex has encouraged people to use their voice “to advocate for what is right” during a discussion on the importance of representation in media and entertainment.

Meghan led a keynote speech on Friday titled Breaking Barriers, Shaping Narratives: How Women Lead On And Off The Screen which marked International Women’s Day, alongside speakers including US actress Brooke Shields.

“Your voice is not small, it just needs to be heard,” former Suits actress Meghan said, during the annual SXSW Conference.

Watch today's #SXSW Keynote Session with Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex, @katiecouric, @BrookeShields, @nancywyuen, and @errinhaines LIVE on @YouTube at 1pm CT. https://t.co/TT5Jjp2Gk7 pic.twitter.com/BfDUef0El2

— SXSW (@sxsw) March 8, 2024

In an earlier session, Modern Family star Julie Bowen revealed that the Duke of Sussex was also present at the event in Austin, Texas.

Meghan’s appearance comes as the Princess of Wales recovers from abdominal surgery in the UK, and Kate’s maternal uncle Gary Goldsmith appears on Celebrity Big Brother.

During his five days on the ITV reality show, Goldsmith told his housemates that Meghan put a “stick in the spokes” when she was first introduced to the royal family, creating “so much drama that I don’t generally think is there”.

The keynote speech was presented by Meghan and Harry’s The Archewell Foundation and The 19th, the national nonprofit newsroom reporting on gender, politics and policy.