Meghan Markle Faces Backlash for ‘Rude’ Interaction on Tour with Prince Harry in Nigeria

Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry embarked on a notable three-day tour to Nigeria, exploring their roles beyond the royal domain. This visit came after an invite from Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, marking their first joint endeavor to the country to celebrate a decade of the Invictus Games, an event close to their hearts ^123456789. The couple’s agenda in Nigeria was packed with meaningful engagements, including stops in Abuja and Lagos, amidst celebrations of the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, focusing on the future work of the foundation and fostering discussions on mental health and personal heritage ⁷⁸⁹¹⁰.

The Incident in Question

Details of the Incident

1. Location and Participants
   The incident occurred at Lightway Academy in Abuja during a session where Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were engaging with schoolchildren to discuss mental health issues ¹².
2. Nature of the Incident
   Meghan Markle was accused of being dismissive towards a teacher and two students. Witnesses claimed she ignored them, focusing instead on having her photo taken, which led to public criticism ¹²⁵.
3. Public Reaction
   The incident sparked negative reactions, with some commentators and observers questioning Meghan’s manners and labeling the interaction as ‘rude’ ⁴.
4. Biographer’s Comments
   Angela Levin, a biographer, highlighted this event as an example of rude behavior by Meghan Markle during the tour, although she did not provide more detailed specifics ³⁴⁵⁶¹².
5. Overall Impact
   This episode added to the series of criticisms faced by Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, during her three-day whirlwind tour of Nigeria with Prince Harry ¹³.

Biographer Angela Levin’s Criticism

Biographer Angela Levin’s Criticism

Outfit and Behavior Critique

1. Outfit Inappropriateness
   Angela Levin criticized Meghan Markle’s choice of outfit during her visit to Lightway Academy College, describing it as unsuitable for a religious school setting ².
2. Behavioral Concerns
   Levin highlighted instances of what she perceived as rudeness by Meghan. She particularly noted an interaction where Meghan allegedly ignored a teacher and two students, focusing instead on someone taking her photos ²¹.

Detailed Observations

3. Specific Interaction
   Levin described a specific incident where Meghan appeared disinterested during a conversation, which led her to pull Prince Harry away to take pictures, indicating a lack of engagement ¹¹⁴.
4. General Criticism
   In her broader critique, Levin accused Meghan of turning the Invictus Games into the ‘Meghan Markle show’, overshadowing other aspects of the event ⁵¹⁴.
5. Book References
   Levin’s book, “Harry: Conversations with the Prince,” reflects her generally negative view of Meghan, particularly criticizing her behavior and attire during the Nigeria visit ¹⁵.

The Royal Couple’s Agenda in Nigeria

Engagements and Activities

1. Educational and Cultural Exchange
   During their visit to Lightway Academy in Abuja, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle engaged with students, focusing on mental health awareness and announcing a new partnership aimed at providing resources and training ¹⁶. They also attended a basketball clinic with Giants of Africa, emphasizing sports as a tool for youth empowerment ¹⁶.
2. Support for Military and Health Initiatives
   Prince Harry met with injured service members at a military hospital, highlighting the couple’s ongoing commitment to veterans’ health ¹⁶. They also participated in a fundraiser aimed at supporting Nigeria’s soldiers wounded in conflicts, which ties into Harry’s work with the Invictus Games ¹⁶.
3. Women’s Empowerment and Leadership
   Meghan co-hosted a Women in Leadership event with Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, focusing on empowering women in global trade and leadership roles ¹⁶.
4. Cultural Appreciation and Partnerships
   The couple unveiled a partnership between their Archewell Foundation and the GEANCO Foundation to provide menstrual health products and educational services to Nigerian girls and young women ¹⁶. They were also treated to traditional dancing at various events, showcasing Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage ¹⁶.
5. Personal Connections and Cultural Ties
   Meghan Markle wore a red dress by Nigerian designer Orire, reflecting her personal connection to Nigeria discovered through a genealogy test, and received handwoven Nigerian fabric during their visit, symbolizing cultural appreciation and exchange ¹⁶.

Reactions and Support for Meghan Markle

Public Support and Criticism

1. Support from Fans and Social Media
   Despite facing backlash, Meghan Markle received considerable support from her fans and supporters on social media, who defended her actions and praised her powerful presence and style during the visit ¹².
2. Criticism from Some Nigerian Groups
   However, some Nigerian groups expressed disapproval of Meghan’s visit, criticizing her for perceived manipulative behavior and a lack of respect for traditional values. Concerns were also raised about the visit being a mere publicity stunt aimed at enhancing her personal brand ¹⁷.
3. Security Concerns
   The visit also raised security concerns, with some pointing out the challenges posed by Nigeria’s issues with corruption and safety. These concerns added to the complexity of the public’s reaction to the visit ¹⁷.

References

[1] – https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/meghan-markle-blasted-for-phoney-looks-very-rude-interaction-during-nigeria-tour-with-prince-harry-101715519423063.html
[2] – https://www.livemint.com/news/world/meghan-markle-slammed-for-very-rude-interaction-during-nigeria-tour-with-prince-harry-reports-11715534120689.html
[3] – https://www.inforney.com/news/national/meghan-markle-blasted-for-rude-interaction-during-tour-where-are-your-manners/video_e2738971-0e6a-5e3f-8226-37b7814ce130.html
[4] – https://www.kulr8.com/news/national/meghan-markle-blasted-for-rude-interaction-during-tour-where-are-your-manners/video_d9923174-c019-51e8-be88-c0b640de6e82.html
[5] – https://www.gbnews.com/royal/meghan-markle-blasted-rude-interaction-nigeria-tour
[6] – https://www.crowrivermedia.com/national/news/meghan-markle-blasted-for-rude-interaction-during-tour-where-are-your-manners/video_b20aee2d-69a7-50eb-89e4-cb0b686c91bb.html
[7] – https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/culture/culture-news/g60767356/harry-meghan-nigeria-tour-in-pictures/
[8] – https://www.cbsnews.com/news/prince-harry-meghan-nigeria-tour-duchess-hints-african-heritage/
[9] – https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/gallery/meghan-markle-nigeria-tour-looks-photos-1236377121/
[10] – https://www.dailygazette.com/news/national/prince-harry-and-meghan-markle-touch-down-in-lagos-for-final-day-of-nigeria-tour/video_14ee6ff6-86d0-5089-9bf6-171df47b1a6f.html
[11] – https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/meghan-markle-2024-nigeria-tour-looks-prince-harry
[12] – https://selmasun.com/news/national/meghan-markle-blasted-for-rude-interaction-during-tour-where-are-your-manners/video_83bcb8ae-9dfb-5102-bcc6-b6db311314e3.html
[13] – https://www.facebook.com/SkyNewsAustralia/videos/harry-and-meghan-being-so-vocal-has-given-the-public-a-lot-to-scrutinise/3769817923289557/
[14] – https://www.plantalibre.mx/en/8jfkdjaa47000Pdfac1d26/
[15] – https://www.crowrivermedia.com/national/news/meghan-markle-and-prince-harrys-nigeria-trip-branded-phoney-and-awful-by-angela-levin/video_8bcdb67d-7b64-50f0-8887-4f697f258cc5.html
[16] – https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/us-celebrity-news/meghan-markle-forced-change-nigeria-32792301
[17] – https://www.quora.com/Were-there-any-negative-reactions-towards-Meghan-during-her-visit-to-Nigeria-If-so-what-were-the-reasons-for-it