Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Have a Very Specific Set of Rules for Speaking Engagements. Here’s What We Know

We imagined booking Meghan Markle and Prince Harry to speak at an event (virtual or not) was no easy feat, but according to new documents, it seems that it’s even tougher than we thought. 

According to The Telegraph, new documents have been revealed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's list of requirements for virtual speaking engagements. 

ICYMI: Meghan and Harry recently signed with the New York-based Harry Walker Agency for speaking engagements. Per the report, the couple “will be engaging in moderated discussions and keynote speeches with trade associations, corporations and community forums.” Not to mention, they will also continue to focus (and speak) on important issues like racial injustice, gender equality, the environment and mental health. 

The newly released paperwork states that event organizers must complete a “Virtual Event Request Form,” if they wish to book the non-royal company through the agency, which also represents Oprah Winfrey, Jane Goodall, Michelle and Barack Obama, Hillary and Bill Clinton, Alex Rodriguez, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Tina Fey, Stacey Abrams and Gloria Steinem.

Anyone interested in booking the couple must reveal all of the event sponsors (and other speakers) upfront, as well as specify what the royal couple will be receiving in return. The outlet also states that Markle and Harry “have the final say on who introduces them and who moderates the discussion.” Oh, and we can’t forget to mention that interested bookers are required to submit a list of expected audience members along with their fee. Talk about power. 

Shortly after the documents were revealed, Don Walker, president of the Harry Walker Agency, released the following statement. 

“There is nothing groundbreaking, exciting, or newsworthy about a customary speaking engagement questionnaire used to gather basic information for our speakers. We were never approached for comment by The Telegraph for their story—which is also customary—but had we been, we would have said The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have a standard working outline similar to what we’ve been using during our nearly 75 years of business. Every speaker wants to know the who, what, when, and where of every event we propose. That is all this questionnaire asks. This story is all foam, no beer. I hope those attempting to make news out of this will recognize the irony of referring to something this routine as “exclusive.’”

The duchess has already begun participating in virtual events over the last few months, including the recent Girl Up Leadership Summit and virtual summit from The 19th*.

So, while it looks like the booking process for these two is intense, it’s not impossible.