Meghan Markle has once again found herself in the spotlight, but this time it’s not for the reasons she might have hoped.
At a recent children’s charity event, Meghan transformed what should have been a heartwarming occasion into a personal fashion show. What was intended to support a noble cause ended up becoming more about her than the charity itself. While Meghan seems to believe she's setting a new standard for the monarchy, her recent choices are more of a lesson in how not to do it.
Let’s not forget Princess Catherine’s stunning appearance back in October 2011. At a fundraiser for the Child Bereavement Charity, she wore a daring red dress with a plunging neckline that garnered attention. Some found it too bold, but in comparison to Meghan’s latest fashion faux pas, Catherine's outfit now seems like the height of royal decorum. Meghan's recent fashion choice felt less like a modernization of royal standards and more like an example of how tasteless a misguided attempt at "modernizing" the monarchy can be.
Meghan has consistently made "modernizing the monarchy" her public persona’s mission, but this doesn’t mean turning every event into a Hollywood-style appearance. Her red outfit at the children's charity event became the visual equivalent of a "what not to wear" guide for such occasions. Meghan has transitioned from an actress to what some now see as a micro-celebrity, her talents fading into the background as she seemingly uses royal connections to remain relevant. As she sashayed into the event, one could almost sense the collective gasp—was this a children’s charity event or an attempt to hijack the spotlight, as if it were a Hollywood premiere?
The irony is palpable. Queen Elizabeth II was known for her grace and humility, always ensuring that the cause took center stage, not her. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William, and Princess Catherine, follow in those footsteps with admirable dignity. In stark contrast, Meghan appears to have turned a noble cause into an opportunity to draw attention to herself.
After this latest misstep, Meghan’s PR team—reportedly with the assistance of the prominent agency William Morris—is likely scrambling to contain the fallout. No doubt, they’re brainstorming strategies at a frantic pace, trying to salvage her image. One suggestion? Proving that she actually donated to the charity she allegedly overshadowed with her appearance. But nothing screams "damage control" more than concocting stories of fabricated generosity for the tabloids.
And then, of course, there’s the dress. If Meghan intended to make a statement, she certainly succeeded—just not the one she planned. The Carolina Herrera gown she chose was shockingly inappropriate for the event, with bare shoulders, arms, and a flash of leg more suited to a glamorous evening party than a children's charity. Even the added skirt did little to redeem the overall look, making the expensive design seem cheap and out of place. For an outfit that cost around $4,000, it was oddly reminiscent of a cardboard cutout.
The dress might have worked on someone with a different body type or posture, but on Meghan, it felt like a mismatch. And then there’s the flimsy excuse for her attendance. Meghan claimed she was concerned about childcare, despite her mother living nearby. For a former duchess with royal connections, finding a babysitter hardly seems like an insurmountable task.
Whether her appearance was a last-minute decision or a carefully orchestrated move, it’s clear that Meghan’s PR team is now leaking stories of her "generous donation" to the tabloids like Us Weekly and People. However, the CEO of the charity appeared visibly stunned when Meghan arrived, as though he hadn’t expected such a high-profile guest. Yet, despite the headlines she stole, the financial statements suggest that her appearance didn’t generate the flood of donations that the "Meghan effect" promised. The media buzz surrounding her attendance failed to translate into actual contributions to the charity's coffers.
