Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, recently received the esteemed Ripple of Hope Award from the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Organization.
The anticipation was high as viewers hoped she would shine a light on crucial human rights causes.
Having been honored for her efforts in addressing structural racism within the British royal family, many expected Meghan to leverage her global influence for a greater impact.
However, her acceptance speech took an unexpected turn, focusing more on her personal narrative than on the noble social issues at hand.
During her address, Meghan chose to emphasize her own journey and struggles rather than highlighting the core values of the organization honoring her achievements.
Instead of using the platform to endorse the RFK Foundation’s advocacies positively, her extended remarks came across as self-centered, drawing attention solely to herself.
Drawing parallels between her experiences and Robert F. Kennedy’s legacy, Meghan highlighted their shared battles against feeling voiceless and standing up for justice.
In her 1,700-word speech, Meghan omitted significant details about the RFK Human Rights Organization’s efforts or how she planned to further its mission with the award.
While the Ripple of Hope Award celebrates principles like civil rights and economic justice, Meghan’s speech veered towards a personal account of her challenges, rather than honoring Kennedy’s legacy.
Despite positioning herself as a champion against societal discrimination, some found it contradictory given her wealth and royal status, which were not addressed prominently.
Royal commentator Emily Andrews noted that Meghan missed an opportunity to shed light on the foundation’s vital cause for promoting human rights globally.
Her focus on herself came off as self-centered and detracted from the organization’s recognition.
Unlike past recipients like Bill Gates and Barack Obama, who used their speeches to advocate for important global initiatives, Meghan’s monologue seemed more like a therapy session centered around her sense of victimhood rather than the purpose behind the award.
Meghan’s speech lacked the humility and altruism seen in previous Ripple of Hope laureates, such as Bill Gates and Barack Obama.
While they used their platform to highlight critical issues like global health and civic virtues, Meghan’s address veered towards personal grievances rather than the organization’s essential mission.
In comparison to these past recipients, Meghan’s speech appeared to overshadow the significance of the award and the RFK Foundation’s important work.