Meghan Markle says she ‘didn’t know ambition was a negative word’ until she started dating Prince Harry
‘The misconception that if you’re an ambitious woman you have an agenda, you must be calculating or selfish or aggressive, or a climber,’ says duchess
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Duchess of Sussex has spoken out about the consequences of being an ambitious woman today.
Speaking on the first episode of her Archetypes podcast, which features an interview with Serena Williams, Meghan explained how meeting her husband, Prince Harry, affected her understanding of ambition.
“I don’t remember ever personally feeling the negative connotation behind the word ambitious until I started dating my now husband,” she said.
“And um, apparently ambition is, uh… a terrible, terrible thing, for a woman that is – according to some.”
Markle continued: “So, since I’ve felt the negativity behind it, it’s really hard to un-feel it. I can’t unsee it, either, in the millions of girls and women who make themselves smaller – so much smaller – on a regular basis.”
The duchess explained that this is why she chose Williams as her first guest on the show.
“I wanted to talk to someone who embodies the spirit of ambition, to see how she thinks about the word and the connotation, and how the other many labels that affect all women have affected her, too,” she said.
On the episode, the two women discuss Williams’ tennis career and her recent decision to retire from the sport.
The tennis champion also revealed that, as a woman, she wasn’t afforded the luxury of time her male peers had when it came to starting a family.
“I really want to expand my family, and you know I’ve been putting it off for so long, and as a woman there’s only so long you can put that off and other people out there, other men out there, can continue to play,” she said.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments