Meghan Markle dubbed a ‘trailblazer’ in Hello Magazine’s Kind List alongside Dame Deborah James

Meghan Markle has been branded a ‘trailblazer’ by Hello magazine in their ‘Kind List’ for 2022.

The Duchess of Sussex, 41, has appeared alongside Dame Deborah James and Michelle Obama as part of the publication’s efforts to ‘shine a light on the most inspirational people’ in the world ahead of World Kindness Day on Sunday.

Other individuals who have been included in the ‘trailblazer’ category are Kelsey Parker, Elizabeth Hurley, Dr Zoe Williams, the Duchess of York and Malala Yousafzai.

Although the mother-of-two didn’t feature in the list last year, Hello said Meghan is a ‘voice for women everywhere’ and claimed that ‘female empowerment is at the heart of everything she does’. 

The Duchess – who stepped from as a senior working royal in January 2020 – has been chosen for this particular category thanks to her ongoing campaign to allow women in the US to have access to paid leave.

The publication also praised Meghan for publicly supporting Iranian-American members of her Archewell team by wearing a ‘Women, Life, Freedom’ T-shirt last month.

The Duchess of Sussex, 41, was dubbed a ‘trailblazer’ by Hello magazine as they included the mother-of-two in their Kind List for 2022. Pictured modelling for Variety magazine last month

Dame Deborah James – pictured before she tragically passed away in June 2022 – has been included in the same category as the Duchess

Michelle Obama also featured within Hello magazine’s ‘trailblazer’ category for their annual Kind List

Jessica Yellin, Founder of News Not Noise, told the magazine that she had met the Duchess this summer at a Gloria Steinhem meeting discussing women’s rights.

She said: ‘[I have] been impressed by her candor, vulnerability and resolve to improve the lives of women across the globe. She is so deserving of this recognition.’

Meanwhile, Hannah Mendoza – co-founder of the oat milk latte business the Duchess invested in in December 2020 – opened up about how Meghan has personally supported her.

The businesswoman added: ‘As a first-time female entrepreneur, when she told me, with unwavering confidence, “I believe in you, and I believe in what you’re building”, it became something I could reach for when, in moments, the hill feels too big to climb.’ 

The magazine referenced Meghan showing support for Iranian-American members of her Archewell team by wearing a ‘Women, Life, Freedom’ T-shirt last month

Clevr Blends CEO and co-founder Hannah Mendoza was asked to comment on Meghan’s nomination. Clevr Blends CEO and co-founder Hannah Mendoza. The Duchess invested in the oat latte start-up last year

Meghan Markle chose to nominate Kate Stephens (pictured), the CEO of Smart Works – the organisation she’s worked with since 2018

In total, the magazine has eight categories in their Kind List across the music, entertainment and sports industries.

For Dame Deborah’s feature, the publication spoke with Genevieve Edwards, the Chief Executive at Bowel Cancer UK, and Harkness Rose Company, who have created a special flower in the mother-of-two’s memory.

Both organisatons, who worked closely with Dame Deborah before she passed away in June, praised the cancer campaigner as a ‘source of inspiration’ after she raised £6.75million for life-changing research.

Oprah Winfrey – who famously filmed an explosive interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2021 – appeared in the TV stars category of the Kind List while Michelle Obama was praised for being an ‘overwhelmingly passionate and inspiring leader’ within the ‘trailblazer’ selection of individuals.

Prince Harry appears within the royal category along with his father King Charles, the Queen Consort, the Prince and Princess of Wales, Princess Charlene of Monaco and the late Queen.

To mark Harry’s nomination, Hello spoke with BetterUp founder Alexi Robichaux – who hired the Duke as his chief impact officer for the $4.7 billion mental health start up last year.

The businessman praised the father-of-two for his ‘kindness, authenticity and leadership’ in his role which has ‘inspired many to seek the support they need to live healthier and more fulfilling lives’.

To mark the third year of their Kind List, the magazine has introduced a new ‘Inspiration’ category – which the Duke and Duchess of Sussex both nominated two individuals for.

For her nomination, Meghan chose Kate Stephens, the CEO of Smart Works – an organisation she has worked closely with since marrying into the Royal Family in 2018. 

BetterUp founder Alexi Robichaux (pictured right with the Duke last month) praised Prince Harry for the ‘kindness, authenticity and leadership’ he shows in his role as BetterUp’s chief impact officer

Prince Harry chose to put Baroness Beeban Kidron forward in the ‘Inspiration’ category too. The filmmaker – who was awarded an OBE in 2012 – is the founder of 5Rights Foundation

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Smart Works has a team of 300 trained volunteers and helps long-term unemployed and vulnerable women regain the skills, confidence and tools to succeed at job interviews, return to employment and transform their lives. 

Part of the organisation’s work involves giving women smart workwear to wear to job interviews. 

In September 2019, the Duchess – who was still living in the UK at this time – released a ‘Smart Set’ capsule collection with British retailers M&S and Jigsaw. 

Describing how Kate ‘displays beautiful kindess in action’, Meghan said: ‘The ability to walk into a room feeling your best should be a right, not a luxury. Under Kate’s inspiring leadership the Smart Works team provides meaningful coaching, community, and work attire – equipping women in need with the resources and confidence to make a lasting change in their lives.’

What’s more, Prince Harry chose to put Baroness Beeban Kidron forward in the ‘Inspiration’ category too.

Looking back on the first time they met, the Duke said he was struck by her ‘passion, persistence and kindness’.  

The filmmaker – who was awarded an OBE in 2012 – is the founder of 5Rights Foundation, which is an organisation devoted to protecting children on the internet.  

Baroness Kidron is also a partner for Archewell, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s charitable foundation, which they set up after moving to Montecito, California in 2020.