There’s a major development to report regarding Meghan Markle and the recent controversies surrounding her post-royal career. Just last month, in September, Meghan hosted her first major project since stepping back from royal duties—the Girl Up Leadership Summit in Melbourne, Australia. On the surface, this appeared to be a positive step for the Duchess’s feminist nonprofit work. However, behind the scenes, things took a dramatic turn.
Reports from those present at the event reveal that Meghan had a heated outburst towards delegates who criticized her new business venture. The summit, which brought together 300 young women activists from around the world at Melbourne University, was intended to showcase Meghan’s commitment to empowering women. She gave a keynote speech and was scheduled to lead sessions aimed at uplifting females. But tensions flared when Meghan was questioned about perceived contradictions in her Archetypes podcast project.
For context, Archetypes is Meghan’s much-anticipated Spotify podcast, which launched recently with the promise of exploring influential female stereotypes throughout history. However, Meghan now faces accusations of perpetuating these very clichés. Critics argue that her debut episode, featuring tennis star Serena Williams, suggested that Meghan sacrificed her Hollywood career and UK fame to serve the monarchy, only to face genuine difficulties as a royal. This portrayal did not sit well with many, who felt it was disrespectful to Queen Elizabeth’s legacy and questioned whether the Sussexes truly sacrificed much when they still benefit from royal titles, security, and the monarchy’s prestige in business deals.
When this topic arose at the summit, Meghan reportedly became defensive and erupted in anger, stating that delegates had no right to criticize her due to their lack of experience with royal life. Guests described her reaction as a “unprincely rant,” where she expressed frustration at not being given enough credit for her royal stint. Critics accused her of presenting herself as a perpetual victim rather than as a leader who empowers others, which was the event’s goal.
Some delegates, taken aback by Meghan’s hostile response, chose to leave early, feeling unsafe to offer constructive criticism. This incident did not reflect well on Meghan, especially in her attempt to position herself as a global advocate for women’s empowerment. Effective leadership requires handling criticism with dignity and patience, qualities that Meghan’s reaction seemed to lack.
The irony of promoting female empowerment while reacting with anger when her own project was questioned did not go unnoticed. It further solidified the impression that Meghan still has work to do in being a role model for leadership qualities. Some commentators even drew parallels with the Sussexes’ criticisms of the British public and royal family, suggesting a pattern of difficulty in accepting responsibility and managing relationships through controversial actions.
In summary, while Meghan intended to inspire future global leaders, this event highlighted that she still has room for personal growth in gracefully handling criticism. If she wishes to influence the issues she champions, substance must outweigh superficial victimhood. The public and professional reaction to her outburst has significantly impacted her image as a pioneering advocate. It remains to be seen if she can recover from this early setback in her post-royal career. Let me know your thoughts in the comments—do you think this incident reflects a need for further personal development, or was the criticism itself unjust? I’m eager to discuss further.
