Meghan Markle steps out on her own during African visit.
The Duchess of Sussex attended a roundtable conversation of the Association of Commonwealth Universities in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Tuesday.
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The 38-year-old wife of Prince Harry and mother of little Archie Harrison is a patron of the association, and she took the time to meet with students and academics to discuss the challenges young women face in getting the higher education they need.
“When a woman is empowered it changes absolutely everything in the community and starting an educational atmosphere is really a key point of that,” Markle said during the roundtable, People reports.
“Education, I think higher education specifically, is such a key element for growth, economic growth but also personal growth and development.”
At the event, Markle announced three new “gender grants” from the ACU for South African universities. The grants are intended to support women working in higher education and research roles, with the goal of bringing about gender equity.
The royal took over the patronage of the ACU back in January from Queen Elizabeth II herself. The Queen had held the post for three decades.
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While in South Africa, Markle will also visit a school to learn about charity work funded by British aid to fight sexual violence in schools.
As Markle and Archie stayed in South Africa, Harry visited Botswana, Angola, and Malawi, touring a Mauwa Health Centre in Malawi on Tuesday.
Harry will rejoin his family in Johannesburg later on Tuesday evening; on Wednesday the couple will meet with Nelson Mandela’s widow, Graça Machel.
