Megan Markle has been accused of giving her husband Prince Harry an “icy stare” that meant “watch what you are saying, mister” during a recent TV interview that has sparked an online backlash.
The alleged look came during an emotional sit-down with CBS Sunday Morning News host Jane Pauley at an undisclosed location near Santa Barbara in central California. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were there to launch a new network that supports parents whose children had taken their own lives because of online bullying.
Meghan greeted Pauley – and parents who have lost children – with huge hugs. “I am so, so happy you’re here. Thank you,” she gushed.
The Duke talked about how parental control has changed over the years. “We always talk about in the olden days if your kids were under your roof, you knew what they were up to,” said Harry. Before adding: “And at least they were safe, right?”
He also emphasized the pressing need for parental vigilance in the digital age. He warned: “They could be in the next-door room on a tablet or phone and can be going down these rabbit holes and, before you know it, within 24 hours they could be taking their life.”
Meghan talked about her own struggles with suicidal thoughts, during their time in England. “I just didn’t – I didn’t want to be alive any more,” she said, holding Harry’s knee.
“I would never want someone else to feel that way, ” said Meghan. “I would never want someone else to be making those sorts of plans, and I would never want someone else not to be believed.”
“So if me voicing what I have overcome will save someone… I’ll take a hit for that,” the Duchess added.
The Sussexes also met with bereaved parents. This included a couple who lost a daughter to online bullying.
However, columnist Jan Moir was not impressed by what she saw. And, in a stinging opinion piece for the Mail Online, she didn’t hold back.
The CBS piece shows Harry and Meghan greeting everyone – including TV host Pauley with big hugs. However, Moir said that Meghan gave “the famous American television host that special big hug she reserves for famous American television hosts “.
The columnist goes on to write: “The Parents’ Network, which has been launched on the Sussexes’ official Archewell website, will meet online in future. ‘This in-person gathering was just for the launch,’ said Pauley. I bet it was.
“Sometimes you wonder how Harry and Meghan have the nerve, the sheer brassy audacity to do what they do.”
Moir claimed that Meghan “smiled beautifully when she talked of ‘change for good’ and her ‘amazing’ children, but sometimes would look stonily at Harry when it was his turn to talk on camera”.
She then said: “Husbands around the world would recognise and interpret that icy, wifely stare in seconds: Watch what you are saying, mister. And keep it short.”
Other commenters were even stronger in their condemnation of the couple. Some brought up allegations that Meghan bullied staff members at Buckingham Palace during her time as a working royal – accusations that the couple have denied.
However, other commenters defended the Sussexes, while ffans were quick to share their thoughts online.
Vanessa Nguyen Hernández said: “What a worthy cause! I am so proud of Harry and Meghan for taking it on!”
And @Mrs_K_Suleiman tweeted: “This is such an important cause and these parents are so brave for sharing this, it will help other parents- definitely save lives. Thank you to Team Archewell led by Meghan and Harry for spearheading this.”