Meghan Markle has found it "challenging" juggling fame with her philanthropy work.
The 35-year-old actress has opened up about being invited to the BAFTAs in London while she was still working in Rwanda in Eastern Africa at the Gihembe refugee camp for UN Women earlier this year and how in her "heart" she wanted to say "no" to attending the glitzy bash.
In an essay penned for Elle UK magazine, she wrote: "My brain, heart and spirit couldn’t shift gears that quickly, from the purpose-driven work I had been doing all week in Rwanda to the polished glamour of an awards show. ‘No,’ my heart said. And it wasn’t a soft whisper; it was a lion’s roar …
"And in that moment, my gut said no because while my two worlds can coexist, I’ve learned that being able to keep a foot in both is a delicate balance. No, they are not mutually exclusive but guiding my heart through the swinging pendulum from Hollywood fantasy to third-world reality is challenging in its own way."
The ‘Suits’ actress also opened up about her increased fame since it was confirmed she is dating Prince Harry, and how she hopes to "advocate" and "inspire" others.
She wrote: With fame comes opportunity, but it also includes responsibility – to advocate and share, to focus less on glass slippers and more on pushing through glass ceilings. And, if I’m lucky enough, to inspire."