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MEGHAN Markle delivered a passionate speech on women's suffrage at a reception on the first night of the royal couple in New Zealand.
Governor General Patsy Reddy hosted the reception to celebrate the 125th anniversary of women's suffrage, which was also attended by Prince Harry, husband of the Duchess of Sussex, and Premier Jacinda Ardern.
Meghan wore a Gabriela Hearst black dress worth US $ 2,495 (which would have been modified to reveal less skin, with hooded sleeves replacing the original spaghetti straps) and black sandals.
She received encouragement from other guests after the beginning of her speech (the third of her tour so far) with the formal Maori greeting "tēnā koutou katoa".
New Zealand was the first country in the world to give women the right to vote, a fact Meghan explained to participants that they were "universally admired".
"Suffrage does not only concern the right to vote, but also what it represents: the fundamental and fundamental human right to be able to participate in the choices that you have for your future and that of your community; the implication and the voice that allows you to be part of the very world you are part of, "she said.
"And women's suffrage not only concerns women's right to vote, but also what it represents: the fundamental and fundamental human right of all people, including members of society who are marginalized for the sake of race, sex, ethnicity or nationality. orientation to participate in the choices of their future and their community.
"Congratulations to New Zealand for defending this right 125 years ago for women who deserve to have an active voice and a recognized vote, and for all the people that this effort has paved the way for worldwide. Thank you.
Kate Sheppard said: "Everything that separates, be it race, class, creed or sex, is inhuman and must be defeated".
THE DUKE AND THE DUCHESS OF SUSSEX IN EVACUATION SCARE
The Royal Family's stay at Government House in Wellington has been rich in events. The building was evacuated this afternoon after the fire alarm was triggered.
No injuries were reported – and according to Nine, the alarm may have been triggered by a kitchen appliance.
REACTION WITHOUT PRICE FROM FAN TO MEEHAN
It can be hard to keep his cool in front of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Just ask this young woman who was caught in the middle of a real fangirl moment in front of the Duchess of Sussex during a public walk in Wellington.
The young woman found herself facing the royal pregnant at Memorial Park, where thousands of people had gathered to greet the couple on their first afternoon in New Zealand.
And his reaction to the meeting was invaluable.
The meeting this afternoon was the first opportunity for the New Zealand public to mingle with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
According to journalist Omid Scobie, the very popular couple threw the usual royal protocol to the window when he met his friends Sophie Hubbard and Hope Watson, 10 years old.
HARRY AND MEGHAN LAUNCH THE NZ TOUR
Earlier in the day, the Duke and Duchess landed in Wellington, New Zealand. Harry and Meghan quickly changed their dress during their three-hour flight from Sydney.
The couple arrived shortly after 3:00 pm local time and were greeted on the tarmac by a handful of dignitaries, including New Zealand premier Jacinda Ardern.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex departed Sydney on a Royal New Zealand Air Force jet with the country's Invictus team, a day after Harry and Meghan spoke at the Closing Ceremony in Sydney.
Meghan changed her Hugo Boss burgundy dress into an ASOS pregnancy dress and Karen Walker's brown trench coat while Harry traded his gray suit for a blue one.
Meghan's black dress, which also exists in non-maternity styles, sells for $ 70 on the clothing website.
She also wore her Sarah Flint shoes, a staple of the royal tour.
The royal couple will spend three full days in New Zealand.
Harry and Meghan will closely follow the beaten paths of the royal family, traveling to Wellington, Auckland and Rotorua, famous for its hot springs.
The Duke and Duchess leave New Zealand on Thursday and are expected to return home to the United Kingdom to await the birth of their baby.
Windy Wellington lived up to her reputation and Meghan seemed to struggle with her dress as the couple descended the stairs of the plane holding hands.
It is believed that the couple spent much of their three-hour flight talking to the Kiwi Invictus team.
After landing in Wellington, the royal couple was taken to Government House where they received a welcome ceremony including a haka.
The Duke and Duchess received the traditional welcome of the Hungarians Governors General Kuia and Kaumatua.
This afternoon, Prince Harry and Meghan laid a wreath at the grave of the unknown warrior at the Pukeahu War Memorial, where the Duke was honored by the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services.
HARRY AND MEGHAN FAREWELL AUSTRALIA
The couple flew from Sydney Airport shortly after 10 am on Sunday, as strong winds swept Meghan's hair.
The royal couple bid farewell to a number of Australian dignitaries before the prince released everyone.
The royal couple then went up the stairs holding Meghan by the hand with a slight wave of her hand as she tried to hold her hair in the strong breeze.
Meghan wore a long Hugo Boss burgundy dress to board the New Zealand aircraft and wore the same pair of suede shoes and her nude saddle bag from the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games last night.
The ample Hugo Boss dress, priced at $ A450, seemed to hide Meghan's nascent hump almost completely.
Meghan wore a pair of peach-colored suede pumps from Aquazzura, which cost $ 911.
The saddlebag mini owned by Meghan came from the Cuyana brand and was worth about $ A315.
Immediately after the Royal Couple's last wave to their Australian fans, the door of the 757 NZ Air Force closed and, after a quick taxi on the runway, the plane took off.
The New Zealand athletes flew shortly after 9am as Harry and Meghan's motorcade headed for the airport.
Teams of police officers with sniffer dogs were seen performing security checks on the outskirts of Sydney Airport.
Helpers were seen earlier this morning with a copy of The Sunday telegraph on the plane of the royals.
Neither the NSW Prime Minister nor the Prime Minister were there to bid farewell to Harry and Meghan, but they were represented respectively by Housing Minister Anthony Roberts and MP Julian Leeser.
Colonel Michael Miller will bid farewell to the Duke and Duchess on behalf of NSW Governor David Hurley.
With her visibly blossoming royal bump, the Duchess of Sussex managed to follow most of the 60 or more engagements during a hectic visit, greeted by an enthusiastic crowd from the bush to the Pacific Islands.
The royal couple attended the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games last night where Meghan stole the show with a "very personal" speech in front of a crowd of 12,000 people.
The magnificent Duchess of Sussex smiled and walked on the stage with easy confidence as she addressed the crowd at the Qudos Bank Arena – her only speech in Australia during the royal tour.
"It's such an honor to be here, to support you and support my husband at the Invictus Games he launched four years ago," she said.
The 37-year-old mother-in-law spoke passionately about the "camaraderie and sense of community" of the Games, before opening to the crowd.
"On a very personal note, I want to thank you for hosting me in the Invictus family," she said.
"I do not know if many of you know that, but a few years ago, before meeting my husband, I had the incredible honor of meeting troops deployed all over the world, from the United Kingdom, Afghanistan and several other countries.
READ MORE: MEGHAN AND HARRY CLOSURE CEREMONIES ARE COMPLETE
"While visiting these military bases, I had a very special insight into the lives of those who serve our country. I could see the unshakeable bond between military and women on the ground, but at the same time feel the palpable desire for family and friends during the deployment. Once at home, the need for this anchor of support from loved ones, all the more so as it dramatically speeds up recovery and rehabilitation, is immeasurable. These memories have been recalled here. "
