However, Leica's response to Meghan's request was far from enthusiastic. Rather than sending her the camera, they opted to publicly rebuke her on their Instagram Story. The scathing reply, visible to their millions of followers, read: "Dear Megan, we're sorry to disappoint you, but we do not send free cameras to anyone, especially not to grifters who exploit their royal status and fame for personal gain. We are a company that values quality, integrity, and authenticity, and we do not appreciate your attempt to use our brand for your PR stunt. You clearly have no idea what Leica stands for or what photography means; you are not a photographer, you are a fraud. Please stop bothering us and leave us alone. Sincerely, Leica."
The reply also included the hashtag #grifterMeghan, which quickly gained traction and fueled a backlash against Meghan on social media. Many users mocked her for appearing greedy, clueless, and entitled, accusing her of trying to emulate and compete with her rival, Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, known for her avid photography and use of Leica cameras.
Some users pointed out the apparent hypocrisy in Meghan's request. They questioned why Meghan, who, along with Prince Harry, had repeatedly emphasized their desire for privacy and their son's privacy, would now seek to share Archie's photos with the world. Additionally, they found it contradictory that Meghan, who had taken legal action against several media outlets for publishing unauthorized photos of her and her family, would request such an expensive and professional camera.
Comments from users varied, with one stating, "Megan is such a liar and a hypocrite; she says she wants privacy, but she really wants attention and money." Another user remarked, "Megan is so pathetic and desperate; she is jealous of Kate and her photography skills and wants to copy her and show off her own photos of Archie, but she doesn't have any talent or passion for photography. She just wants to use it as a tool to manipulate the media and the public; she is a fraud who doesn't deserve a Leica camera or any camera for that matter."
