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MEGHAN Markle lauded Prince Harry a "hands-on dad" last night during a speech in Texas - as the Duke watched from the front row.

The Duchess of Sussex, 42, spoke at the SXSW Conference for International Women's Day alongside a star-studded panel.

Meghan hailed 'incredible partner' Prince Harry a 'hands on dad' during an International Women's Day speech in Austin, Texas
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Meghan hailed 'incredible partner' Prince Harry a 'hands on dad' during an International Women's Day speech in Austin, Texas
Prince Harry was front row for the event, after the pair were spotted cosying up together at ultra-exclusive Soho House Austin on Thursday
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Prince Harry was front row for the event, after the pair were spotted cosying up together at ultra-exclusive Soho House Austin on Thursday

Actress Brooke Shields and US presenter Katie Couric were among the famous faces who took part in the talk in Austin.

During the discussion, Meghan - praised as a "driving force for positive change" - said much of her work focuses on giving equal opportunities to disadvantaged women.

But she said she was "fortunate" to have such an "incredible partner" in Harry who supports her activism.

The mum-of-two explained: "My husband is such a hands-on dad and such a supporter of me and our family.

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"In don't take that for granted. That is a real blessing.

"A lot of people don't have that same level of support."

The Duke of Sussex, cheering his wife on, enjoyed a romantic evening with Meghan at ultra-exclusive Soho House in Austin on Thursday.

Markus Anderson, the Soho House boss considered the "second most important man in Meghan's life", sat alongside Harry at the event.

The hotel chain holds a special place in the couple's hearts as it was the London branch where they had their first date in July 2016.

In a wide ranging discussion, Meghan said it was "incomprehensible" for girls from disadvantaged backgrounds and minorities to imagine what success is like.

She said this issue is not helped by how "disturbing" social media trolling of women, specifically by other women, can be.

'CONSPIRACY THEORIES'

The Duchess said online "conspiracy theories" about women were particularly toxic.

Meghan explained: "I cannot make sense of that.

"If you're reading something terrible, terrible about a woman, why are you sharing it with your friends?

"Why are you choosing to put that out in the world? What if it was your friend, your mum, your daughter?"

She added: "There are lots of women at the highest executive level who are great champions of women, great philanthropists, and they are working in these spaces.

"And yet they are allowing these behaviours to run rampant.

"And at a certain point, they have got to put the do's behind the say's, and really make some changes on a systemic level."

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The ex-Suits actress also attacked the film and TV industry who she accused of perpetuating a "stigma" around women.

She suggested the industry is still "pigeonholing" women of certain backgrounds and ages into specific roles.

Meghan told the audience that much of her work focuses on giving equal opportunities to disadvantaged women
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Meghan told the audience that much of her work focuses on giving equal opportunities to disadvantaged womenCredit: AFP
She said it was 'incomprehensible' for some girls from disadvantaged backgrounds and minorities to imagine what success is like
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She said it was 'incomprehensible' for some girls from disadvantaged backgrounds and minorities to imagine what success is like
Harry clapped Meghan on during her panel discussion on Friday
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Harry clapped Meghan on during her panel discussion on Friday
Meghan said 'conspiracy theories' that circulate online about women were particularly toxic
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Meghan said 'conspiracy theories' that circulate online about women were particularly toxicCredit: Matt Symons
Markus Anderson, a Soho House boss and a close friend of the Sussexes, sat alongside Harry at the event
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Markus Anderson, a Soho House boss and a close friend of the Sussexes, sat alongside Harry at the event
Meghan appeared alongside a raft of famous faces including Katie Couric (R)
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Meghan appeared alongside a raft of famous faces including Katie Couric (R)
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