Meghan Markle drew cheers and a round of applause by speaking in the indigenous Te Reo, or Maori, language during a speech in New Zealand on Sunday.
To open her speech, Markle welcomed guests by saying “tena koutou katoa”, which translates as “greetings to all” in Te Reo, the language spoken by the indigenous Maori population of New Zealand.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Her use of a Maori phrase prompted whoops and cheers from the audience.
The Guardian notes that “although her pronunciation was not perfect”, her efforts were “warmly received by New Zealanders, who themselves are learning the language in record numbers”.
“We think Meghan did a pretty good job for a first-timer, after all, Te Reo isn’t the easiest language for foreigners to speak,” adds New Zealand celebrity magazine Now To Love.
During an impassioned three-minute speech, Markle commended New Zealand’s groundbreaking record on women’s rights. The country was the first to grant women the vote, in 1893, and that same year Elizabeth Yates became the first female mayor in the British Empire when she held the office in the town of Onehunga.
“The achievements of the women in New Zealand who campaigned for their right to vote, and were the first in their world to achieve it, are universally admired,” the Duchess said.
“Women’s suffrage is about feminism, but feminism is about fairness. Suffrage is not only about the right to vote, but also what that represents.
“So bravo New Zealand for championing this right 125 years ago, for the women who well deserved to have an active voice, an acknowledged vote, and for all of the people that this achievement has paved the way for, globally. We all deeply thank you.”
Newshub says that New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern could be seen leaning forward to tell Markle her speech was “perfect”, while leader of the opposition, New Zealand National Party’s Simon Bridges, later described the Duchess as “charming” and “down to earth”.
New Zealand is the last stop on the royal couple’s tour, which also included Australia, Tonga and Fiji.
Earlier in the day, the royal couple took part in a series of traditional Maori greetings, the Daily Express reports. Their final engagements include a bush walk in Abel Tasman National Park, a beach barbecue and visits to Auckland and Rotorua.
-
Pope Leo wants to change the Vatican’s murky financesThe Explainer Leo has been working to change some decisions made by his predecessor
-
October books: an academic analysis of Taylor Swift and the solution to your digital addictionThe Week Recommends This month's new releases include ‘Taylor’s Version’ by Stephanie Burt, ‘Enshittification’ by Cory Doctorow and ‘Minor Black Figures’ by Brandon Taylor
-
Auto loans: Trouble in the subprime economyFeature The downfall of Tricolor Holdings may reflect the growing financial strain low-income Americans are facing
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designationThe Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across SyriaTHE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations
