I don’t think it is necessarily the most ridiculous thing she has said but she said this week that she’s ‘not controversial’ and states that she is ‘misunderstood’.

Since public opinion goes from absolute adoration of all things Meghan – to total dislike – she will, inevitably, be considered controversial. And it is not difficult to find the reason she is misunderstood.

‘Speaking at Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit, she said: ‘If you look back at anything I’ve said, what ends up being inflammatory is people’s interpretation of it.’

I agree completely with that statement! However, if what Meghan says is open to ‘interpretation’ then she has chosen the wrong words to put across her message. You would never have to ‘interpret’ a clear, simple sentence! If she had sat on the bench in their garden and said something like:

‘Even in the comparatively recent past, not everyone was allowed to vote. Thanks to people who have fought for that right, every citizen in the US over the age of 18 is now entitled to express their opinion at the ballot box. No matter who you choose to vote for, please get out and use that opportunity to stand up and be counted. Remember, every vote matters!!’

That would have been greeted with enthusiasm on all sides – nothing in the least bit political – or controversial – no interpretation needed!

Meghan’s words:

Every four years, we are told the same thing, that ‘This is the most important election of our lifetime.’ But this one is. When we vote, our values are put into action and our voices are heard. Your voice is a reminder that you matter. Because you do. And you deserve to be heard.”

At the Summit this week – note the punctuation!

She was asked what her advice was to people who have a desire to weigh in on the big issues.

Meghan replied: “It’s about being authentic. I think that is the takeaway, that I have found, is if you don’t listen to all the noise out there, and just focus on living a purpose driven life and knowing what your own moral compass is.

“There are always going to be nay-sayers.

We shouldn’t need to ‘interpret’ what anyone says – ever. If there is an opinion to put across, then we need it in plain language that we can all comprehend – after all, it’s not as if you can go back and hear it all again as you could re-read something in a book!!

By using flowery language and speaking in your own cliches, there are people who are going to find it hard to understand the message – and, therefore there is the risk that you will be misinterpreted.

And Meghan proves how essential it is to speak clearly and succinctly. Until – or unless – she learns how to do that, we will continue to hear only her ‘noise’ rather than what she is actually trying to say!

Only when we know that will we be able to decide if her opinions are relevant – or, even, if they matter.