India Today Conclave
India Today Conclave

Meghan Markle Campaigns for Parental Leave After Being 'Overwhelmed' by Lilibet's Birth

By Jade Biggs
22 October, 2021
Meghan Markle Campaigns for Parental Leave After Being 'Overwhelmed' by Lilibet's Birth

Meghan Markle is campaigning for parental leave to become a national right in the US after revealing she and Prince Harry were "overwhelmed" in the weeks following Lilibet's birth.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcomed their daughter earlier this year in June, but have remained relatively quiet about her birth since then. Although, on a recent trip to New York, Meghan gave Royal fans a welcome update on Lili, calling her "beautiful."

Despite no longer carrying out Royal duties and engagements, they were both entitled to 20-weeks parental leave in line with policies at their Archewell foundation, and now Meghan is lobbying US politicians to ensure other new parents are entitled to the same.

In an open letter to House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate majority leader Charles Schumer, the 40-year-old said she was writing "on behalf of millions of Americans" to request that the government puts in place a national policy on paid leave. Currently, the US government does not guarantee paid sick leave, or maternity/paternity pay, and this is left up to individual companies to decide.

Getty Image

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry on their recent trip to New York.

Taylor Hill Getty Images

Speaking about her experience, the former actor said: "In June, my husband and I welcomed our second child. Like any parents, we were overjoyed. Like many parents, we were overwhelmed."

She continued, "Like fewer parents, we weren’t confronted with the harsh reality of either spending those first few critical months with our baby or going back to work. We knew we could take her home, and in that vital (and sacred) stage, devote any and everything to our kids and to our family."

Meghan pointed out how parental leave meant she and Harry didn't "have to make impossible choices about childcare, work, and medical care" which is something so many parents across the country cannot avoid. "No family should be faced with these decisions," she added, "No family should have to choose between earning a living and having the freedom to take care of their child."

She concluded the letter by saying: "On behalf of my family, Archie and Lili and Harry, I thank you for considering this letter, and on behalf of all families, I ask you to ensure this consequential moment is not lost."

The Sussexes relocated to the US last year, with their son Archie, after stepping down as Senior Royals in January 2020. They moved into a mansion in Montecito, California, and earlier this year announced they were expecting their second child, who they named Lilibet Diana – after the Queen and Harry's late mother, Princess Diana.

 

Image Credits: Kevin Mazur Getty Images

Credit: Cosmopolitan
Comment