On International Women's Day, Royal bride-to-be, Meghan Markle, was the ‘toast of Birmingham as she and fiancé, Prince Harry visited the second city – bringing with them a bright ray of sunshine, where beforehand, rain was the order of the day.

 

A full itinerary of visits saw the couple at the city’s Millennium Point complex early on as they freely met onlookers, many of whom stood agog at the very thought that they were in the presence of a future King of England and the Commonwealth. Though, for the pair, their attentions were stoically aimed at the children and young people – which made it for them a day to remember.

 

Their visit was to inspiring the young to pursue subjects of science, technology, engineering and maths.

 

On what was ‘International Women's Day,’ former ‘Suits’ star, Meghan, who prides herself on being outspoken about female empowerment; giving advice to aspiring female doctors, engineers and scientists, embraced the energy that came from the young school girls, especially, encouraged them to 'fly in the face of stereotypes' and embrace the untapped power they have within.

 

“A woman in the face of society is seen as one who has to be pretty, thin and quiet” she said. “The one who dares to fly in the face of all these stereotypes is the best kind of role model a young female can have.”

 

As she and the third in line to the throne greeted just about everybody in the line of girls, boys, women and men, the ‘International Women's Day’ theme extended itself as Ms. Markle made her way to introduce herself to The Phoenix Newspaper’s own Founder/Editor In Chief; “You're very beautiful,” she remarked to our own Marcia McLaughlin.

“You too are beautiful,” was the humble response, before she was able to tell the future queen about The Phoenix Newspaper – and its positive, informative and objective ethos.

 

Having listened intensely, they both posed for pictures from the hordes of press on hand, before Megan went on to join her future husband and media queen, Ms. McLaughlin, was herself being interviewed by the television press.

 

As the happy couple made their way into the building and the crowd dispersed, what was left was memories, for all, that this day will go down as one of the most memorable – personally and, for the city, collectively.

 

And that was just the start of what was a very full day in Birmingham.