Meghan Markle uses Queen's mantra as she is labelled 'one of the most powerful women in the world' at gala

The Duchess of Sussex is described on the event's website as "one of the most powerful and influential women in the world".

Meghan spoke of the importance of "daily acts of service" during the speech.

Queen Elizabeth II famously said on her 21st birthday in 1947 in a speech when she was still Princess Elizabeth: "I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong."

The Duchess said: "It's just never too late to start. You can be the visionary of your own life.

"You can charter a path in which what you repeat in your daily acts of service, in kindness, in advocacy, in grace and in fairness, that those become the very things that are recognised by the next wave of women, both young and old, who will also choose this moment to join the movement and make our vision for an equitable world reality."

Meghan also thanked Gloria Steinem, 89, for her "incredible friendship" during the speech.

She praised Steinem "for [being] the inspiration that you are, for your mentorship, your sage advice, your extraordinarily cheeky sense of humour and, of course, for your incredible friendship".

The Duchess of Sussex paid tribute to the Ms Foundation for Women organisation.

She said: "I am a woman who remains inspired and driven by this organisation.

"It allowed me to recognise that part of my greater value and purpose in life was to advocate for those who felt unheard, to stand up to injustice, and to not be afraid of saying what is true and what is just and what is right."

Meghan walked onto the stage to the song Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys.

The Duchess of Sussex wore a £1,500 Johanna Ortiz gold strapless dress.

She paired this with £1,000 Tom Ford stilettos and a matching £900 Carolina Herrera bag.

The former Suits actress was joined by her husband Prince Harry at the event in New York.