Photos captured them mingling with athletes and enjoying the competitions. However, on one evening after the day's events had concluded, Megan was spotted in an outdoor seating area apparently smoking a cigarette. The short video clip, now garnering millions of views since its weekend posting, shows Megan seated at a table with a few others, taking a drag and exhaling smoke.
Now, at first glance, this might not seem like a big deal. After all, many celebrities and public figures have been photographed smoking in the past. However, there are a couple of key factors here that have fueled significant online reaction.
Firstly, Megan is now a senior member of the British royal family as Prince Harry's wife. Image and decorum are crucial for royals, and smoking contradicts the image they typically project to the public. Additionally, Megan has previously spoken out against smoking, even discussing the health risks of cigarettes on her now-deleted lifestyle blog, The Tig. So, for her to be seen smoking herself appears hypocritical given her past stances.
Furthermore, with smartphones equipped with advanced cameras everywhere, public figures are constantly aware of how their actions might be perceived when out in public. Once the video began circulating on platforms like Twitter and Reddit, reactions poured in. While some defended Megan's right to smoke, many criticized her for the hypocrisy and for not being more discreet, particularly at a high-profile event like the Invictus Games where photos and videos were bound to be taken.
Headlines called out her failure to lead by example and questioned her judgment in attending a health-focused event while smoking. Some suggested that her actions could potentially damage charities and organizations supported by Megan and Harry if their patrons saw footage of her smoking.
As the video continued to gain traction across social media, spokespeople for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex acknowledged that Megan was indeed pictured smoking but declined to provide further comment or explanation, requesting privacy during their trip. However, this only served to frustrate critics further, who argued that as senior royals receiving public funds, Megan and Harry couldn't pick and choose when they wanted privacy versus publicity.
In the aftermath of the smoking video's release, various discussions emerged online. Some dug up old photos of Megan smoking during her pre-royal acting days, suggesting this wasn't new behavior for her but emphasizing that she should know better as a royal. Others pointed out past photos of Prince Harry smoking at previous Invictus Games, highlighting a potential double standard in the criticism aimed at Megan.
Supporters of Megan saw the entire ordeal as yet another instance of unfair media scrutiny.
