Meghan Markle has reacted to the shocking death of George Floyd in a video message to high school students in Los Angeles.

Floyd, a 46-year-old African-American man, died over a week ago after being restrained by a police officer who kneeled on his neck for almost nine minutes.

Civil unrest is continuing across the US in the wake of the incident and Markle, who relocated to California with husband Prince Harry earlier this year, spoke candidly about the issue in a video to pupils at Immaculate Heart High School.

"As we've all seen over the last week what is happening in our country and in our state and in our home town of LA has been absolutely devastating," she said.

"I wasn't sure what I could say to you. I wanted to say the right thing and I was really nervous that I wouldn't or it would get picked apart, and I realised the only wrong thing to say is to say nothing, because George Floyd's life mattered and Breonna Taylor's life mattered and Philando Castile's life mattered and Tamir Rice's life mattered.

"One of my teachers, Ms. Pollia, said to me, 'Always remember to put others' needs above your own fears.' That has stuck with me throughout my entire life and I have thought about it more in the last week than ever before."

Watch Markle's address in full below: