In a recent podcast appearance, Meghan Markle opened up about the sense of being voiceless during her time as a senior royal, revealing she often felt she wasn’t “empowered to speak.”
During a candid conversation with British businesswoman Emma Grede on the Aspire podcast, the Duchess of Sussex discussed rediscovering her voice and the deeper significance behind her fashion choices over the years.
Reclaiming Her Voice Through Instagram
Grede began by asking about Meghan’s new Instagram account, which she launched on January 1st. Meghan, now 43, described the move as a personal milestone in regaining her autonomy.
“For me, it felt like an important way to reclaim my voice,” she explained, pointing out that returning to social media gave her a renewed sense of self-expression after stepping back from her royal duties.
Her Complicated Relationship With Fashion Influence
The conversation then moved to Meghan’s widespread influence in the fashion world. She acknowledged that her feelings about this influence have shifted over time.
“People always say imitation is flattery,” she noted. “But it becomes more complex when you see others profiting from your style, especially when the original designers or brands aren’t being acknowledged.”
She said she often struggled with whether to name the designers she wore, worried that doing so might seem like advertising, even though she wasn’t financially tied to those brands. On the other hand, saying nothing risked her outfits being misattributed.
“When I felt I didn’t have many opportunities to use my voice publicly,” she added, “I tried to say something with what I wore. Clothing can be its own kind of message.”
Fashion as a Tool for Empowerment
When asked whether her clothing choices were purposeful, Meghan responded without hesitation: “Absolutely.”
She went on to explain that, in times when she couldn’t speak freely, she still found ways to be heard — using fashion as a means of support and solidarity, especially for women.
“I often chose pieces from female-led or local designers while on tour,” Meghan said. “Supporting them was a way to shine a light on their work and help their businesses thrive.”
She recalled one particularly impactful moment — wearing jeans made by a company that employs women who have escaped human trafficking.
“After I wore them, the founders wrote to me and said that because of the exposure, they were able to help save 25 women. That kind of impact — that ability to do something meaningful with what you wear — is a privilege I never took for granted.”
Following Her Heart in Business
Toward the end of the interview, Meghan and Grede turned to her newest business endeavor — a lifestyle brand called As Ever, which sells artisanal goods such as jam, honey, and dried flower blends.
“If I had wanted to simply maximize profit, going into fashion would’ve been the clear route,” Meghan said. “But I wanted to pursue something that felt right for me, something that spoke to where I am emotionally and creatively right now.”
Her remarks portrayed someone deeply committed to authenticity and using her platform in intentional ways — whether through business, style, or storytelling — to reclaim her narrative after a time in her life when she often felt unheard.
