Meghan Markle has spoken out about the protests around the death of George Floyd, in a heartfelt speech where she discusses racism in America.
She spoke to students graduating from her former school, Immaculate Heart High in Los Angeles, telling them in a video message: "George Floyd's life mattered and Breonna Taylor's life mattered and Philando Castile's life mattered and Tamir Rice's life mattered... and so did so many other people whose names we know and whose names we do not know."
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She starts the speech, which was shared by Essence: "As we've all seen over the last week what is happening in our country and in our state and in our home town of LA has been absolutely devastating."
She admits she was hesitant to speak out in case it got 'picked apart'.
"What is happening in our country and in our state and in our hometown of LA... I wasn't sure what I could say to you. I wanted to say the right thing.
"I realised the only wrong thing to say is to say nothing."
She continued: "One of my teachers, Ms. Pollia, said to me, 'always remember to put other's needs above your own fears.' That has stuck with me throughout my entire life and I have thought about it more in the last week than ever before."
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Another memory that Meghan remembered was from living in Los Angeles in 1992. She said: "I was 11 or 12 years old and it was the LA Riots, which was also triggered by senseless act of racism.
"I remember the curfew and I remember rushing back home and on that drive home, seeing ash fall from the sky and smelling the smoke and seeing the smoke billow out of buildings...
"I remember seeing men in the back of a van just holding guns and rifles. I remember pulling up the house and seeing the tree, that had always been there, completely charred. And those memories don't go away."
She ends her video with a message of hope.
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Markle added: "With as diverse, vibrant and opened minded as I know the teachings are at Immaculate Heart, I know you know that Black lives matters.
"You're going to use your voice in a stronger way than you have ever been able to because most of you are 18 - or you're turning 18 - so you're going to vote.
"You're going to have empathy for those who don't see the world through the same lens that you do. You're ready. We need you and you're prepared."
Last night it was confirmed that three other police officers will also face charges following the death of George Floyd.
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On Monday 25 May, police officer Derek Chauvin applied pressure with his leg to Floyd's neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds. He was later charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in connection with Floyd's death, although it has now been confirmed that the charges will be elevated to second-degree murder.
Featured Image Credit: Meghan Markle