Meghan Markle faced criticism after reports emerged that she was upset by being labeled as royalty during an appearance on MasterChef Australia [1, 2].
The incident highlights the ongoing tension between Markle's public distancing from the British monarchy and her continued association with royal status in international media.
Tom Slater, the editor of Spiked Online, discussed the reports on Sky News Australia. Slater said the reaction to the label was hypocritical, suggesting a contradiction between the couple's public stances and their private preferences [1, 2].
Slater said the couple has sought to utilize their royal connections for professional gain. "They’ve been trying to trade on these titles for a very long time," Slater said. He said the couple viewed such titles as "almost a kind of cheat code into the top player of the international celebrity set" [1].
The commentary on Sky News Australia focused on the perceived inconsistency of Markle's reaction. Slater said the situation is "utterly hypocritical," while noting that such behavior has come to be expected from the couple [1].
Markle's appearance on the Australian cooking competition brought her back into the spotlight in the region. However, the reported friction over her title has shifted the conversation from the show's content to her relationship with the royal institution [2].
Representatives for Markle have not provided a detailed response to the specific claims regarding her reaction on the set of MasterChef Australia [1, 2].
“"It’s just so utterly hypocritical, but we’ve come to expect that from these two."”
This incident underscores the complex branding challenge facing Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. By attempting to maintain the prestige of royal associations while simultaneously criticizing the institution, they risk creating a perception of inconsistency that critics, particularly in Commonwealth nations like Australia, frequently amplify to undermine their public image.
