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There have been many historical events happening this past week. When Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex released a statement about them, however, not every onlooker received it well. In fact, some critics even mocked the couple’s words.

Meghan Markle wears a white shirt as she sits next to Prince Harry wearing a blue shirt
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle | Chris Jackson – Pool/Getty Images

What did Prince Harry and Meghan Markle say about recent events?

On Aug. 17, Harry and Meghan released a statement on the website for their charitable foundation, Archewell. The couple highlighted big events that happened—mainly the earthquake that struck Haiti on Aug. 14 and the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban on Aug. 15.

“The world is exceptionally fragile right now,” the statement read. “As we all feel the many layers of pain due to the situation in Afghanistan, we are left speechless. As we all watch the growing humanitarian disaster in Haiti, and the threat of it worsening after last weekend’s earthquake, we are left heartbroken.”

The Sussexes added, “And as we all witness the continuing global health crisis, exacerbated by new variants and constant misinformation, we are left scared. When any person or community suffers, a piece of each of us does so with them, whether we realize it or not. And though we are not meant to live in a state of suffering, we, as a people, are being conditioned to accept it. It’s easy to find ourselves feeling powerless, but we can put our values into action — together.”

Harry and Meghan went on to urge world leaders to address these humanitarian crises. They also linked to various organizations helping the situations in Haiti and Afghanistan.

Critics mocked the Sussexes’ statement

Not everyone reacted positively to the Sussexes’ statement, however. In fact, according to Express, some critics have mocked the couple.

“Thank goodness Harry and #Meghan have managed to share a few words on the world’s crises, despite being rendered ‘speechless,’” royal journalist Richard Eden tweeted.

Meanwhile, radio host Julia Hartley-Brewer also wrote in a tweet, “Thank god ‘speechless’ Harry and Meghan have spoken on the terrible state of the world, so now we all know what we are supposed to feel, say and do. We’d never have known if it weren’t for them being so…y’know… speechless.” 

Author Angela Levin, who has met Harry and written a book about him, also told the Daily Mail that the couple looks like they are trying to create an “alternate woke royal family.”

“I think Harry and Meghan’s grandiose, comfy and caring comments about the situation in Afghanistan, the disaster in Haiti and new Covid variants is another example of them trying to set up some sort of alternate woke royal family,” Levin said. “Like most of their ‘compassionate’ gestures there is no indication about what they themselves will do and whether any donations will be going through Archewell Foundation.”

The Sussexes are preparing for a more public life

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Prince William and Kate Middleton Have Been Sending ‘Secret Messages’ to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Royal Expert Claims

When Harry and Meghan stepped down as senior royals, onlookers believed the couple would try to establish a private life for their growing family. However, according to a new cover story for People, the Sussexes are preparing for a more public role.

“With their parental leave coming to an end, they are preparing for a busy fall and winter as many of the programs they’ve been working on behind the scenes kick into action,” the article said.

Their biographer Omid Scobie said that Harry and Meghan will be working directly with charitable causes.

“They’re a couple who do very well in those moments of human interaction. They need to be on the ground,” Scrobie shared. “They say that the proof is in the pudding, and what we are about to see is that pudding.”