Hillary Clinton makes first remarks since concession speech

Hillary Clinton has spoken of the pain of her election loss to President-elect Donald Trump, in her first public appearance since conceding defeat last week – saying the stunning result “hurts more than words can explain”.

“I will admit coming here tonight wasn’t the easiest thing for me. There have been a few times this past week when all I wanted to do was curl up with a good book or our dogs and never leave the house again,” Ms Clinton told attendees at the Children’s Defence Fund Gala in Washington D.C.

A defiant Ms Clinton used her speech to urge her supporters to remain engaged in progressive politics, as she reflected on the state of the US and shared an emotional story about her mother as a child.

“The divisions laid bare by this election run deep, but please listen to me when I say this: America is worth it,” Ms Clinton said.

The Children’s Defence Fund Gala works to support underprivileged American children and was where Ms Clinton started her career as an intern after she graduated from law school.

An aide for Ms Clinton said there was “no more fitting place for her first formal remarks following last week”.

“[The speech is an] opportunity to underscore Hillary's continuing commitment to the causes and values that have always motivated her work as an advocate and public servant,” the aide said.