Recent Public Engagements

The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, recently captured public attention during her unexpected appearance at Paris Fashion Week. Following this, she engaged with A-list friends and was honored at a ceremony in New York City.

Most notably, Meghan participated in the 2025 Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit hosted in Washington D.C. Here, she spoke candidly about her experiences with social media, maintaining a work-life balance, and the importance of financial independence, particularly for women.

Financial Independence as a Key Theme

In her remarks at the summit, Meghan emphasized the critical nature of financial independence, stating that conversations surrounding this topic should not be deemed “taboo.” Her comments come following years of scrutiny regarding the Sussexes’ financial endeavors, which were a principal reason for their decision to step back from royal duties in 2020.

During a discussion with Fortune’s Editor-in-Chief, Alyson Shontell, Meghan expressed,

“Financial independence is what gives you the freedom of choice, and I think in this day and age, we all need to be able to have our autonomy. There is a huge element of that financial literacy for that reason that I spend a lot of time on, especially for young girls and their empowerment.”

She further remarked,

“As women, when we’re supporting each other… there doesn’t need to be anything taboo about talking about our financial independence, or independence overall.”

Stepping Back from Royal Duties

In January 2020, Harry and Meghan announced their intention to “step back” from their roles as full-time working royals. They aimed to balance their royal representation with financial independence and sought to end reliance on taxpayer funding. Their initial statement asserted a desire to cease funding through the Sovereign Grant while maintaining their status as members of the royal family.

However, this proposal was quickly met with resistance from the late Queen and other senior royals, who deemed it inappropriate for the couple to engage in private commercial enterprises while fulfilling any official royal duties, according to various reports.

Fashion Spotlight

Meghan Markle, 44, made a stylish impression at the Fortune Summit, donning a flowing silk blouse by Gabriela Hearst paired with a structured midi skirt from Brochu Walker. However, it was her custom Dior heels that became a focal point of attention. These bespoke shoes were notably the same pair she wore at her son Archie’s christening in July 2019.

The elegant design featured delicate ankle wraps and pointed toes, serving as a nostalgic reminder of a cherished family moment. Meghan’s long-standing relationship with Dior reflects the brand’s association with timeless elegance, a connection also embodied by her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana.