Meghan Markle Urged to ‘Take a Leaf Out of Sister-in-Law’s Kate’s Book’ After ‘Disaster Tourists’ Controversy
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were heavily criticized recently after showing up at a disaster zone and touring areas of Los Angeles County that have been ravaged by several wildfires. Because the couple was said to be volunteering at an evacuation center but only stayed there for 17 minutes and were photographed with Pasadena’s mayor Victor M. Gordo, many believe their visit was nothing more than a photo opportunity for the pair.
Actor Justine Bateman was one of the first people to publicly criticize the Sussexes. Taking to X, she labeled Meghan and Harry “disaster tourists” and “ambulance chasers” only showing up at the site to “achieve a repulsive photo op.”
And regarding their “tour of the damage,” the Family Ties alum asked: “Are they politicians now?”
Others agreed and called out the duke and duchess claiming that they only showed up to try to generate good publicity for themselves and to repair their images. If that’s the case it backfired. But despite all the backlash, Meghan was filmed again when she turned up at another site days later. She then received more criticism which is why she’s being urged moving forward to take a page out of the Princess of Wales’ (formerly known as Kate Middleton) book.
Meghan warned she should start handling things like Kate after controversial outing
Daily Mail columnist Amanda Platell shared what she thought of the Sussexes’ initial joint outing and how that compares to what William and Kate do following tragic events.
“With their popularity tanking in the U.S., this was just another attempt by Megs and Harry — who were previously described by the boss of Spotify as ‘f****** grifters’ — to cleanse their reputation and polish up their tarnished halos,” Platell wrote. “And they are in desperate need of good publicity ahead of Meghan’s new Netflix series With Love, Meghan — upon which their future finances depend.”
Platell added that in the future it would be wise for Meghan to take a page out of her sister-in-law’s book writing: “How did it all go so wrong for Megs and Harry? Perhaps because every time they reach out — often trailed by a camera crew — to show their calculated compassion and care, all we can remember is Meg’s abandonment of her father Thomas or Harry’s cruelty to his own family. It could all have been so different. If only the smug, bit-part actress Meghan — who thought she knew it all — had taken a leaf out of Kate’s book in handling grief with dignity.”
Platell is referring to when Kate and William went to Southport, England a few months back after three young girls were murdered. She explained that the Waleses “sent private messages and met with the grieving families of Bebe King, 6, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, for half an hour — in private. No media was tipped off about the visits. No cameras were allowed.”
The duchess was filmed for a second time volunteering at an LA charity
But doing things secretly and discreetly doesn’t seem to be the route Meghan wants to take. Following Platell’s remarks and the growing backlash, the duchess was filmed in LA again days later.
That time the former Suits star was photographed arriving at Altadena Teen Girls, which is an organization launched by 14-year-old Avery Colvert to support the community in the aftermath of the wildfires.
The organization posted a reel on Instagram of the work being done and several of the volunteers as well as Meghan arriving with bags of donations, reportedly made through her and Prince Harry’s Archewell Foundation.
But the overall reaction to seeing the duchess again has been more negative than positive.
In response to those reactions to the clip, one person wrote: “Reading these comments shows me that Meghan (who btw is NOT a Princess) once again has managed to make a catastrophe ALL about her! Not one person in this feed is actually discussing ‘Altadena Girls Fire Recovery Fund’ and the wonderfully sweet 14-year-old, Avery Colvert, who initiated the Fund.
“It is so sad that Meghan has to make everything about her & the blind followers who eat up her self promotion! Sorry Avery.”
