A 1993 video of Meghan Markle, then an 11-year-old student, advocating for gender equality in advertising has resurfaced online, reigniting discussions about her lifelong commitment to social change.
The clip, originally aired on Nick News with Linda Ellerbee, showcases Markle’s early activism—contrasting sharply with the current backlash surrounding her latest Netflix series, With Love, Meghan.
Young Meghan Challenged Gender Stereotypes
As part of a social studies assignment, Markle and her classmates analyzed advertisements.
A commercial for Ivory dishwashing liquid caught her attention for stating that “women are fighting greasy pots and pans.” Feeling it reinforced outdated gender roles, Markle wrote a letter to Procter & Gamble, urging them to replace “women” with “people.”
To the surprise of many, the company responded by changing the ad, an early victory for Markle’s advocacy.
“If you see something that you don’t like or are offended by on television or any other place, write letters and send them to the right people and you can really make a difference,” young Markle advised viewers in the segment.
A Contrast to Current Criticism
While the resurfaced video highlights Markle’s early activism, it comes at a time when she is facing harsh criticism for With Love, Meghan.
The homemaking and lifestyle series, recently released on Netflix, has been met with overwhelmingly negative reviews.
The Independent called it “queasy and exhausting,” while Vulture deemed it a “new frontier in unrelatability.” Rotten Tomatoes currently shows a 33% critics score and 20% audience rating, reflecting public disappointment.
Social Media Reaction
Despite the show’s reception, the resurfaced 1993 video has drawn admiration:
- “She’s always been so intelligent and adorable! These haters can’t even fix their face to say something nice about her as a child.”
- “We want all our children to be sharp, proactive, and confident in their power.”
- “I remember watching this when I was a kid. When I found out it was Meghan Markle, it made me root for her even harder.”
A Lifetime of Advocacy
From rewriting corporate advertising at age 11 to now producing content on a global streaming platform, Markle’s journey has been anything but conventional.
While her latest project may not have been well received, the 1993 video reminds audiences of her long-standing advocacy—and how speaking up, even as a child, can lead to real change.
