Meghan Markle ‘cut short’ visit to Fiji market after ‘being snubbed by UN years earlier’
Meghan Markle reportedly “turned and hissed” at a staff member in a row during a Fiji market tour, leaving the employee in “tears”.
Meghan Markle reportedly “turned and hissed” at a staff member in a row during a Fiji market tour, leaving the employee in “tears”.
Security swept the then-pregnant Duchess away from the market after she whispered to a bodyguard during a visit in October 2018.
At the time, the reason given for the abrupt end to her walk-through was that the crowds grew too big to control.
However, Meghan, 39, was actually concerned about the presence of UN Women, a group which promotes women’s empowerment, The Times reported.
A Daily Mail reporter was on the trip and claims they saw Meghan “turn and ‘hiss’ at a member of her entourage, clearly incandescent with rage about something, and demand to leave”.
They wrote: “I later saw that same – female – highly distressed member of staff sitting in an official car, with tears running down her face. Our eyes met and she lowered hers, humiliation etched on her features.
“At the time I was unable to document anything as I couldn’t conclusively link the two incidents together, despite my suspicions. I have subsequently found out from other sources that my instincts were right.”
It comes as Meghan is facing allegations of bullying staff made by one of her closest advisers during her time at Kensington Palace.
The Queen has launched a probe into the allegations.
MEGXIT
According to a source, Meghan said she would only visit the Fijian market if there was no branding for the group.
Lawyers for Meghan denied the claims, and said she met with leaders from UN Women later during her visit.
She had worked with UN Women in the past.
Meghan was being given a tour of Suva Market during the 2018 royal visit when her bodyguards intervened.
One onlooker reportedly said Meghan appeared to “look concerned” before entering and “looked really disengaged, not her usual self at all”.
She then apparently whispered something to one of her aides before being whisked away.
The witness told The Mirror: “She stopped to speak to a pineapple seller on one of the stalls and had a very blank and disengaged look on her face, which is very unlike her.
“It was very hot and humid in there so perhaps it wasn’t the best environment for a pregnant woman.
“After speaking for about a minute she broke off and spoke to the same aide again before she was whisked out of the market very soon after.”
Video showed her being led out of the building flanked by her new female head of security and a Fijian security chief.
The Duchess had missed morning duties, but had been expected to meet people at Markets for Change, a UN Women’s project.
Her visit was scheduled for 15 minutes but she lasted just six in the sweltering hot tent.
Fans who had waited for Meghan voiced their disappointment at not getting to meet her.
Some pointed out that the crowds were being kept well back from the tent and conditions inside were calm.
But Kensington Palace insisted Meghan met with everyone she was scheduled to, but left earlier due to “issues with crowd management”.
