Meghan Markle told how she felt the tragic death of George Floyd "invoked centuries of unhealed wounds" as she made an impassioned speech alongside her husband Prince Harry.
They were at the NAACP Awards last night to collect the prestigious President's Award, being honoured for their achievement in distinguished public service.
As the married couple took to the stage together at Pasadena Civic Auditorium in California, mum-of-two Meghan addressed the tragedy.
She said: "And I couldn't be prouder that we're doing this work together. We moved to California, my home state, shortly before the murder of George Floyd.
"For Black America, those nine minutes and 29 seconds transcended time, invoking centuries of our unhealed wounds. In the months that followed, as my husband and I spoke with the civil rights community, we committed ourselves and our organization, Archewell, to illuminating those who are advancing racial justice and progress."
Her moving words came after former senior royal Harry had told the audience: "We share a commitment to a life of service, a responsibility to combat injustice and a belief that the most often overlooked are the most important to listen to."
George Floyd was an unarmed black man who died after Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for more than eight minutes.
He was helping arrest Floyd on suspicion of using a fake $20 bill at a grocery store in the Minnesota city.
His death sparked mass protests and demonstrations against police brutality and institutional racism around the world.
Chauvin was sentenced to 22 years and six months behind bars after being found guilty of unintentional second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
Before being sentenced, he had finally broken is silence on the horrific events, briefly offering his condolences to Floyd's loved ones.
The guilty verdict was seen as a turning point in the history of US policing.
The NAACP Awards is an annual ceremony presented by the US-based National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, which honours outstanding performances in film, television, music, theatre and literature.
Honorary awards, such as the President's Award and the Hall of Fame Award, are also handed out each year.
