Meghan Markle "Can't Stop Tearing" While Preparing Speech on Black Lives Matter

Meghan Markle reflected on her pivotal "Black Lives Matter" speech (opens in new tab) at Fortune's "Most Powerful Women" virtual summit on Tuesday. In a conversation with Fortune's Senior Editor Ellen McGirt, Princess Meghan addressed misinformation online, dealing with attacks both on and offline, and using her platform to effect change at her alma mater, Los Angeles' Immaculate Heart High School, said she "couldn't stop crying" while preparing her speech for the graduating class of Immaculate Heart High School.

McGirt asked Meghan about the secret to using her platform effectively, noting that "you are not the only one who has been targeted by a sitting president, or attacked by a mob, or had powerful people or powerful forces try to bring you down or undermine your message. I'm not the only one," she pointed out. In response, the Duchess of Sussex said that "credibility" was important.

"I did that high school graduation speech a week or so ago, and I pre-recorded most of it," Duchess Meghan explained. 'It was aimed at high school students, 17-year-old girls, so the tone and the sentiments were, of course, a call to action, but it was lighter than it had been after the George Floyd murder. I knew I couldn't use that tape, and to be honest, I really struggled with what to say."

"I sat down and didn't write anything, didn't ask anyone for help on how I should express this," she continued.

"I was just in tears thinking about it and explaining to my husband why I thought it was so heartbreaking. Certainly, for me, coming back to Los Angeles, it was reminiscent of the state of Los Angeles during the riots after the Rodney King incident. I took issue with the fact that these girls were graduating from high school at what should have been a very joyous time, and yet they were surrounded by such unrest"

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"So I just spoke from my heart," Meghan concluded, "and I guess that's why it doesn't seem sophisticated or feel perfect, but I also think that's why it's authentic."

Meghan also shared how she deals with the abusive language she receives, explaining, "I think it's a good thing." If you don't listen to all the noise out there, and you just focus on living with a purpose that drives your life and knowing what your own moral compass is, there will always be negative people out there, but at the end of the day ... You know, I have had a quote posted in my room many, many months ago that resonates now perhaps more than ever when you see the invective and noise that can go out into the world. It was Georgia O'Keeffe who said, "I have already made up my mind, so flattery and criticism flow down the same drain.

"The moment I can free myself from all other opinions about what I know to be true, it's so easy to just live with the truth, live with authenticity," the Duchess said. 'And that is how I live in this world.'