Meghan Markle is planning to break with hundreds of years of tradition by making her own speech at the royal wedding, according to reports.
The American actress is said to be “ready” to address the 800 guests expected at her wedding to Prince Harry, on May 19.
Speeches are normally only made by the groom, the best man, and the father of the bride — however, women are increasingly speaking for themselves on their wedding day, particularly in the US.
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But Markle wants to have the chance to thank Prince Harry, the Queen, and her family and friends, in an “affectionate” tribute, according to the Sunday Times.
It definitely wouldn’t be the first time that Markle has been outspoken in her support of gender equality — particularly in relation to marriage, coincidentally.
Read more: 6 Things Global Citizens Should Know About Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Like Emma Watson, Markle is a UN Women’s Advocate — and once gave a speech in front of then UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon.
“I am proud to be a woman and a feminist,” she said during the speech at the UN in 2015. “A wife is equal to her husband.”
And when she was young, Markle was so irritated by the sexist tagline of a washing-up liquid that she wrote to women’s rights lawyer Gloria Allred and then First Lady Hillary Clinton to protest it.
It worked. After Allred and Clinton pledged their support for Markle, the tagline was changed from “Women all over America are fighting greasy pots and pans” to “People all over America are fighting greasy pots and pans.”
Read more: Russell Brand Wants to Help Homeless as a Wedding Gift to Harry & Meghan
Markle and Prince Harry are reported to be planning their wedding themselves, and are said to be eager to “reflect their characters and personalities” in the event.
In other slap in the face for the patriarchy, the happy couple will reportedly omit the bride’s promise to “obey” the groom in her vows — following in the footsteps of Prince William and Kate Middleton who also left the obsolete sentiment out of their 2011 ceremony.
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