Workplace discrimination
Sara M Moniuszko, USA TODAY
Published 10:03 a.m. ET March 10, 2020 | Updated 1:34 p.m. ET March 10, 2020
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Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan returned to the U.K. and are staying at their former home at Frogmore House on the Windsor Castle estate.
USA TODAY
A British high school student is apologizing to Prince Harry after showing Harry’s wife, Duchess Meghan of Sussex, some affection at a recent event.
On Friday, Duchess Meghan paid a surprise visit to a school in London to speak about International Women’s Day. While there, head boy Aker Okoye joined her onstage to say a few words. He and the duchess shared a hug after he told the crowd “She really is beautiful, innit” to a roar of cheers and applause.
In a handwritten letter, published in photo and video form by U.K.’s The Sun, Okoye wrote to Harry about the encounter. Entertainment Tonight confirmed the letter in an interview with the student.
“Harry, I hope you don’t mind me writing this letter,” he began. “I hope you didn’t mind me cuddling your wife. I was just overwhelmed and shocked to see her arrive at my school”
He continued: “It was a pleasure to hear her speech and to speak in front of her as well. She is truly inspirational.”
He added that he hopes to meet the prince one day, and he wished them “good luck for the future.”
He told ET that he wrote the letter to “clear everything up.”
“I thought it was polite to do so,” he said. “It was out of my own kindness.”
Meghan’s visit commemorated Britain’s 50th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act in 1970, which prohibited workplace discrimination against women. The act was prompted when female sewing machinists at the Ford Motor Plant went on strike in Dagenham for equal pay in 1968.
The couple and their baby son, Archie, are moving to Canada as they officially step back as working senior royals on April 1. They’re in England for a final round of royal engagements.
“No matter how small you might feel, how low you may feel on the ladder or the totem pole, no matter what color you are, no matter what gender you are – you have a voice, and you certainly have the right to speak up for what is right,” Meghan told the 700 students assembled to hear her speech. “It’s not just an opportunity to continue that, it’s a responsibility. I encourage and empower each of you to really stand in your truth, to stand for what is right – to continue to respect each other.”
Contributing: Kim Willis
Royal reunion: Queen Elizabeth and Will, Kate, Harry and Meghan attend Commonwealth Day service
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