This controversy revolves around the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's visit to 123 New York City public schools in 2021, an event featured in the Netflix series. During this visit, Prince Harry and Meghan contributed two boxes filled with vegetables and herbs for the school garden. However, some parents complained that the produce was nearly unusable due to damage. While authorities cited transportation issues, some found this explanation vague, given the proximity of fresh produce to the school.
Meghan donned an outfit worth tens of thousands of dollars during the visit and sat reading books to a group of students on a bench. However, reports surfaced that the school authorities were instructed not to share any negative comments about the visit on social media, both at that time and in the future.
The controversy escalated when some parents claimed that Meghan had asked children to donate five dollars, which they initially believed was for charity. Later, it was revealed that the money was used for the couple's own charitable endeavors. This triggered accusations of exploitation from concerned parents, with one parent, Natasha Jackson, expressing her displeasure with the situation.
Things took a more troubling turn when it was disclosed that Meghan's representatives had contacted the Ministry of Education to request a gag clause be included in communications related to the school visit. This clause aimed to prevent anyone from making negative comments about the visit. Additionally, Meghan's team reportedly requested that the press release about the visit refrain from mentioning Meghan's book to make it appear less promotional.
Daniella Filson, the press secretary for New York City Schools, was sent inquiries from the Department of Education regarding this matter. The emails also revealed a reluctance to overtly promote Meghan's books to the public. Furthermore, the couple's team barred four British newspapers from attending an event at the World Trade Center, adding another layer of scrutiny to the actions of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, especially concerning their interactions with the public, schools, and philanthropic initiatives for their personal gain.
In an article for news.com, a royal commentator raised various points, beginning by noting that even now, this couple continues to act as if they are the reigning king and queen, frequently taking their children out of school for vacations in the countryside or idyllic islands. Princess Beatrice and Eugenie and even Lionel Messi lounging by the pool were cited as examples of the royal family's love for holidays. The commentator suggested that Harry and Meghan, while on a fun holiday, still adhere to family traditions, but she also issued a serious warning, cautioning that this should not lead to complacency among the Portuguese.
