Revealed: Archetypes podcast guest, award-winning race journalist and US actress who is descendant of British and French royalty will join Meghan Markel on star-studded keynote panel of SXSW festival in Texas

Meghan Markle is joined by a guest on her own podcast Archetypes, an award-winning racing journalist and a descendant of British and French royalty, as she speaks on a star-studded keynote panel for the opening day of the SXSW festival in Texas.

The festival, officially called South by Southwest, celebrates the convergence of technology, film, music, education and culture and will see Meghan speak alongside stars Brooke Shields and Katie Couric.

Actress Shields, 58, is the descendant of King Henry II of France, making her Queen Elizabeth II’s 18th cousin and the second most royal celebrity in America after her removal.

Meanwhile, Meghan will also appear on the panel – titled Breaking Barriers, Shaping Narratives: How Women Lead On and Off the Screen – with American sociologist Nancy Wang Yuen, who appeared on Meghan’s Spotify podcast in 2022.

The pair discussed the “Dragon Lady” trope and the “hypersexualization of Asian women in popular culture and beyond.” Meghan’s Archetypes podcast about female stereotypes only lasted one series before her lucrative deal with Spotify ended in 2023.

Meghan, described by the festival as a “feminist and advocate for human rights and gender equality and a New York Times bestselling author,” will headline the keynote on the opening day, which falls on International Women’s Day.

The session will also be moderated by Errin Haines, host of The Amendment podcast and award-winning racing journalist.

Following Harry and Meghan’s royal engagement, Ms Haines wrote an article for the Independent entitled ‘Coming to America was fictional, but this is getting real’: Black American women react to Meghan Markle’s royal wedding to Prince Harry. ‘

On March 8, American journalist and presenter Katie Couric will also appear on the panel.

Meghan’s involvement in the festival will be the latest in a series of public appearances Meghan and Prince Harry have made in recent weeks. The most recent saw the Duchess appear via video link in London to open a new wing of an animal charity.

This was announced via the new Sussex.com website she launched with Harry, which immediately became controversial due to the prominence of the royal branding.

Earlier in February she made dumplings with Afghan female refugees, before a video of the visit was posted on the Archewell Foundation website last Monday.

The Duke and Duchess also recently returned from a trip to the slopes in Whistler, Vancouver, where Harry gave a series of US media interviews ahead of next year’s Invictus Games.

Meghan followed that up with another ski trip with her friends Kelly McKee Zajfen and Heather Dorak at Powder Mountain near Salt Lake City, Utah.

Hugh Forrest, co-president and chief programming officer of SXSW, said: “Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex, Katie Couric, Brooke Shields, Nancy Wang Yuen and Errin Haines are the perfect finishing touches to eight days of remarkable keynote speakers.

“We are deeply honored to host this distinguished group on International Women’s Day for an important discussion on the importance of representation in media and entertainment.”

Meghan was chosen by SXSW because she and the other guests are seen as “visionary female leaders at the forefront of news, media, entertainment and philanthropy.”

They are also described as women “breaking barriers, challenging stereotypes and working to create a healthier society, both on and off our screens.” The Duchess of Sussex was named a New York Times bestselling author.

Meghan’s session will focus on “how the ubiquitous nature of social media creates an often dangerous environment that has led to serious mental health issues, especially for teenage girls.”

Together with fellow participants, Meghan will speak about the importance of representation in media and entertainment, organizers said.

Founded in 1987, South By Southwest is known for its conferences and festivals covering technology, film and television, music, education and culture, and describes itself as an “essential destination for global professionals.”

Previously announced speakers and panelists at this year’s festival include Selena Gomez, Kirsten Dunst and Sydney Sweeney.

Last year, Meghan spent International Women’s Day helping visit a homeless shelter for pregnant women, distributing essential supplies to expectant mothers on behalf of her Archewell Foundation.

Last month saw a flurry of announcements from the Sussexes.

The Duchess signed a deal with Lemonada Media to record new podcast shows, and the company will distribute her previous series.

The couple also relaunched their Archewell website, the name of their foundation, under the name The Office Of Prince Harry And Meghan, The Duke And Duchess Of Sussex.

The announcement of Meghan’s latest public appearance comes after a royal expert claimed the Sussexes could scare Americans with their “endless moaning” and attacks on the royal family.

Prince Harry and Meghan moved across the pond after leaving their positions as senior royals and leaving Britain in January 2020.

While trying to start a new life in the US, the couple starred in a Netflix docuseries, launched a controversial new website, released a book and conducted explosive interviews about the royal family.

In an effort to expand into the celebrity world, the Sussexes are often spotted at glitzy events, including the premiere of ‘Bob Marley: One Love’ in Jamaica in January.

But they were branded ‘insensitive’ for posing on the red carpet with Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who wants to abolish the monarchy.

Last month, Harry said King Charles’ cancer diagnosis could have a “reunifying effect” on the family. He took a transatlantic flight to see his father at Clarence House on February 6, but they only met for about 45 minutes.

There were reports that Harry was willing to return to a temporary royal role to help the downsized monarchy, while Princess Kate was also recovering from abdominal surgery. But palace aides later said there was ‘no way back’ for Harry.

Speaking about the time Harry and Meghan have spent since leaving Britain, royal writer Angela Levin said even Americans are getting fed up with the couple’s “hypocrisy” and whining.

She told The Sun: ‘I think endless moaning turns Americans off because they like people who are go-getters more than people who blame everyone.

“They also don’t like the attacks on the royal family, especially because they loved and admired the queen so much.”