Eliza Reid

Now, I was incredibly excited to have this opportunity, one that I had never expected, but it was also incredibly intimidating.

I didn't know if I was allowed to say anything I wanted whenever I wanted.

What was I gonna wear when we met kings and queens?

Could I just comment on the social media posts?

Could I order a tequila shot in a bar on a Friday night?

Turns out there is no handbook on how to be the spouse of a head of state.

And this is a challenge because I love handbooks.

I'm that person who declares the sweater that costs $20 over import limits when crossing the border.

I read the manuals for every appliance I buy, cover to cover, from toasters to kettles.

So all of a sudden, it was very intimidating.

I didn't have time to worry about whether or not I could do it, but I definitely worried about whether I was doing it right.

One thing I knew from the outset, though, that I did have, if not a manual, was this giant invisible platform and mic from which people might listen a little bit more to what I had to say.

And I wanted to use that chance to say something important.

What's really important to me

is the idea of gender equality and working towards greater gender equality because I know that that improves the lives for people of all genders.

But the irony of talking about increasing gender equality when I only had the platform in the first place because of something my husband had achieved felt a little bit overwhelming.

I did love

serving as First Lady of Iceland.

It was the honour of my life.

And as you can imagine, I got to meet all kinds of people, travel all kinds of places, speak about important topics.