The act of standing up for yourself takes great courage and isn’t for the faint of heart. Echoing the words of Dr. Martin Luther King who led the American civil rights movement that resulted in all people of color receiving full citizen rights.

The ultimate measure of a leader is not where he or she stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but at times of challenge and controversy.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

Certain segments within the British media are intimidated by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. Her confidence and drive and ability to deliver results scares them. She has power, not the kind that comes from her position in the British royal family but one that comes from within. The former Meghan Markle for her part was already in global halls of power prior to her joining the British royal family. No other royal woman had met global leaders prior to joining the royal family as Duchess Meghan had.

Duchess Meghan leads by core values which have been consistent before she became a royal and after she became a royal. Meghan started volunteering at homeless shelters and soup kitchens at age 13 and has continued throughout her life. Meghan was an advocate for women and girls’ empowerment since age 11 writing to a soap manufacturer to change the language on a commercial.

As Duchess of Sussex she hired the first woman in the British family as Private Secretary. She continues to champion women in leadership and as Vice President of Queen’s Commonwealth Trust is creating a pipeline of female leaders. This consistency has cemented Meghan, Duchess of Sussex’s credibility and integrity as an authentic leader.

Meghan has a proven track record of supporting communities. Whether in LA or Toronto, Rwanda or her new home of London she has maintained strong community ties. She was viewed as a political and economic leader and role model even before she became a royal. Furthermore, empowered women stand up for themselves.

Harry and Meghan are the very embodiment of Commonwealth values. They have worked to strengthen governance, build inclusive institutions and promote justice and human rights. They work to economically encourage entrepreneurship and growth, as well as boost trade, and empower young people.

Here is the statement explaining why Duke and Duchess of Sussex are challenging the status quo in the British media.

Most media groups in Britain have launched a ruthless campaign against Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. Their relentless propaganda campaign has been false and malicious. Press fabrications are repurposed as truth across the globe creating pain for the young family.

The contents of a private letter were published unlawfully in an intentionally destructive manner to manipulate you, the reader, and further the divisive agenda of the media group in question. In addition, to their unlawful publication of this private document, they purposely misled you by strategically omitting select paragraphs, specific sentences, and even singular words to mask the lies they had perpetuated.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex took the courageous stance to take legal action against continual misrepresentations by tabloids. The contents of a private letter were published unlawfully in an intentionally destructive manner to manipulate you, the reader, and further the divisive agenda of the media group in question. In addition to their unlawful publication of this private document, they purposely misled you by strategically omitting select paragraphs, specific sentences, and even singular words to mask the lies they had perpetuated.

The British press is a bully, which scares and silences people. This isn’t acceptable, at any level and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have refused to live on their knees at the mercy of bullying and human rights violations. They believe in press accountability and fairness.

Women in the British aristocracy are just as oppressed as women in the remote villages of Afghanistan. Women born into so called noble families cannot inherit property in the same way that their brothers do. Women born into these houses of nobility cannot sit in the House of Lords the way their brothers and fathers can. These women cannot question the status quo out of fear of being shunned and ostracized for advocating for themselves. Instead, they have to marry for power and status. These are the women who secretly wish they had the courage to advocate for themselves and to become self-made millionaires like the former Meghan Markle.