Meghan Markle spoke out Tuesday about how she deals with public criticism and seemed to subtly defend her recent controversial remarks about the upcoming U.S. election.
While speaking at Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Summit 2020, Meghan was asked by senior editor Ellen McGirt how she handles the scrutiny and criticism that goes along with being a public figure and a powerful woman with a platform.
The former duchess said it’s about being “authentic”. Then, Meghan quoted the American modernist poet Georgia O’Keefe; “I have already settled it for myself so flattery and criticism go down the same drain and I am quite free”.
“If you look back at anything that I’ve said, it’s really interesting; because what ends up being inflammatory it seems, is people’s interpretation of it. But if you listen to what I actually say it’s not controversial,” Meghan said.
“The moment that you’re able to be liberated from all of these other opinions of what you know to be true, then I think it’s very easy to just live with truth and live with authenticity. And that’s how I choose to move through the world.”
Watch the video below:
Meghan, 39, and her husband, Prince Harry, 36, caused controversy in the United Kingdom last week for discussing politics; since it is more acceptable for members of the royal family to steer clear of that arena.
However, the couple, who have stepped down as senior working members of the royal family and relocated to California; appeared in a video for this year’s TIME 100 list of most influential people and encouraged viewers to vote.
“Every four years, they tell us, ‘This is the most important election of our lifetime’. But this one is,” Meghan said in the video. “When we vote, our values are put into action, and our voices are heard.”
