Meghan Markle found herself in an awkward situation on stage when she intervened as a woman attempted to pose next to Prince Harry for a photo following his victory at a polo tournament.
After presenting Harry with a trophy at a glamorous charity polo match in Miami, Florida, Meghan took charge, directing people around the stage. She politely requested a well-dressed woman in a white dress to move to the center of the group, away from Harry, insisting that she wanted to stand beside her husband in the huddle, with the royal fan next to her.
Just moments before, Meghan had affectionately kissed her husband to celebrate his win, as the Netflix camera crew captured the moment for their upcoming series.
The somewhat awkward exchange lasted for several moments, with Harry keeping his arms firmly around his wife, prompting others to shuffle around to find their place on stage. Despite Meghan's insistence on keeping her place, the woman was forced to duck under the trophy to find a spot. There was a brief exchange between the woman and Meghan, leaving some wondering what was said. Harry appeared visibly embarrassed during the encounter.
Unforeseen by Meghan, the entire incident was captured on camera, and internet users wasted no time in criticizing her for what they perceived as toxic and jealous behavior. Critics argued that as a duchess, Meghan shouldn't feel jealous of anyone. When the woman approached the podium for a photo with Harry, Meghan clung to her husband's side, refusing to let the woman pass and ensuring she stood next to her. It later emerged that the woman was Dr. Sophie Shandoka, the chair of Santel, a significant charity sponsor.
Dr. Sophie Shandoka's background adds another layer to the story. Born in Zimbabwe, she pursued education in both the US and the UK, eventually becoming a renowned corporate finance lawyer known for her sharp intellect. She received scholarships for her studies in America, graduating summa cum laude in political science from Lake Superior State University in Michigan before furthering her education at Oxford. Dr. Shandoka's distinguished career includes roles at prominent companies like Morgan Stanley and Meta, and she currently leads a biotech company. Additionally, she co-founded the Black British Business Awards, advocating for proportional representation of black individuals in business roles.
Speculation arose about Meghan's discomfort around Dr. Sophie stemming from a potential reminder to Harry of someone with a similar background. Given Dr. Sophie's role as the chair of the sponsor, some argued that Meghan might have been expected to hand out the trophy instead. This led to criticism of Meghan's actions, with some suggesting that she may have pushed her way onto the stage with the trophy, further fueling backlash on social media.
Comments on Twitter ranged from outrage over Meghan's treatment of Dr. Sophie to speculation about Dr. Sophie's future involvement with the charity. Some users condemned Meghan's behavior as disrespectful and unbecoming of a feminist, while others called for an apology. Meghan's actions were seen as classless by some, contrasting sharply with the image of the British royal family, which was enjoying renewed popularity in the US and Los Angeles. Meghan's behavior was viewed as a stark departure from the epitome of class associated with the royal family, particularly in light of Diana's legacy.
