Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, may have found a deeply meaningful role within the Royal Family had she chosen to remain, particularly through collaborative work with Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, in the area of women’s rights and advocacy.
As Meghan continues to navigate her post-royal life and attempts to build a platform of influence from outside the monarchy, royal commentators have suggested she left behind an opportunity to create lasting change within a powerful royal framework.
This reflection comes during the same week that Sophie Wessex addressed the harrowing issue of sexual violence in conflict zones during an appearance at the Imperial War Museum in London. Known for her tireless campaigning on this front, Sophie highlighted the devastating societal aftermath that survivors face.
“The stigma that is sadly placed on the women it’s about the mothers. In so many countries, they can’t even go back to their home place,” Sophie said, referencing the social exclusion many women endure after surviving sexual violence in war. Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams compared the two women’s paths and emphasized the contrast in their current influence.
“Meghan is struggling to be an influencer, Sophie has influence in ways that really matter, which Meghan could have been,” Fitzwilliams told The Mail. Meghan, a long-time advocate for gender equality and social justice, has supported initiatives promoting women’s empowerment both during and after her time as a working royal. However, Fitzwilliams suggested that the structure of the Royal Family could have amplified her voice and impact had she remained part of it.
He added that aligning with Sophie on such causes would not only have enhanced Meghan’s platform but also provided her the space to “flourish” in a senior royal role. Sophie, who has been praised for her quiet yet consistent commitment to humanitarian issues, particularly women’s rights, has become one of the most respected members of the Royal Family in this area.
The idea of a Meghan-Sophie partnership paints a picture of what could have been a powerful duo advocating for global women’s issues from within the royal institution. While Meghan and Prince Harry stepped back from royal duties in 2020 to pursue a more independent life in the United States, the ongoing comparisons to what Meghan might have achieved within the monarchy continue to spark public and media interest, especially as Sophie gains increasing visibility for her impactful humanitarian work.