Meghan Markle has found herself at the centre of controversy after posting a “thoughtless” video on social media. The Duchess of Sussex shared a clip of her feet up inside a limousine as it passed close to the Paris tunnel where Princess Diana tragically died in a car crash.
Meghan, who was heading back from a surprise appearance at fashion week in the French capital, posted the video to her 4.2 million Instagram followers. It marked her first trip to Europe in two years.
The footage has been widely criticised as “bewilderingly tasteless” and “thoughtless” due to the timing and location of the video. Meghan can be seen rolling down the window while her car drives past iconic Paris landmarks, including the Pont Alexandre III and Pont des Invalides. As the car passed under the next bridge, the Pont d’Alma, it was in close proximity to the spot where Princess Diana tragically lost her life in August 1997.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams was quick to condemn the post, calling it “utterly bewildering,” “beyond stupid,” and “insensitive beyond belief.” He added that Prince Harry, Meghan’s husband, would likely not be impressed by the choice of content. Fitzwilliams went on to express disbelief over the post, saying, “I don’t understand what on earth she was thinking – well, she can’t have been thinking.”, reported the Daily Mail.
Meghan’s actions have drawn sharp reactions from royal fans, many of whom voiced their anger on social media. One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, “What a vile video of her casually stretching out in her car as she drives over the death scene.” Another commented, “She knows exactly what she’s doing and I just can’t comprehend why she’d do it? It’s plain cruel.”
Despite her popularity and the support she has from some fans, this latest incident has sparked a backlash. Critics argue that Meghan, a public figure, should have been more mindful of the sensitive nature of the location, particularly given the tragic history surrounding it.
Meghan’s actions have reignited debates about her public image and her relationship with the royal family. While some feel she’s made a poor choice, others may see it as a moment of poor judgement rather than a deliberate act of disrespect. However, with her actions now being widely discussed, it seems unlikely this controversy will die down anytime soon.
As Meghan navigates the fallout, many will be closely watching her next steps. How she addresses the situation, or if she addresses it at all, could have a significant impact on her public image moving forward. Whether intentional or not, the timing of her video was certainly not the best, and it has left many questioning her decision-making process.
