Duchess Meghan's 'Insensitive' Limousine Video Near Diana's Tragic Site
Meghan Markle Under Fire for 'Insensitive' Paris Stunt: Critics Slam Duchess's Crass Behavior
The usually glamorous and poised Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, has landed herself in hot water once again with a cringe-worthy video that has left royal experts and social media users alike scratching their heads. In a bizarre move, the 44-year-old mother of two shared a clip on Instagram of herself lounging in a limousine along the Seine River in Paris, complete with her feet propped up and legs crossed, as she was driven past landmarks like the Pont Alexandre III and the Pont des Invalides.
The problem is that one of those bridges just so happens to be located near the infamous Pont d'Alma tunnel where Princess Diana tragically died in a car accident in 1997. The coincidence has sparked outrage, with many accusing Meghan of being thoughtless and tone-deaf. The Duchess's decision to share the video on Instagram, which boasts an impressive 4.2 million followers, has been widely condemned as insensitive and ill-timed.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams, a regular commentator on all things royal, has weighed in on the controversy, calling Meghan's actions "utterly bewildering" and "beyond stupid." He also suggested that Prince Harry might not be too thrilled about his wife's antics, saying: "I don't understand what on earth she was thinking - well, she can't have been thinking. No adviser would ever advise doing something so strange."
Fitzwilliams went on to say that Meghan has every right to attend fashion events, but sharing a video with connections to Princess Diana's tragic death defies logic and shows a complete absence of thought. "Diana's death is a tragedy that has scarred so much of Harry's life," he pointed out, adding that it's unlikely the Prince would find this behavior acceptable.
The backlash against Meghan's post has been swift and merciless on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter). One user tweeted: "Regardless of specific location, filming herself driving through Paris at night is sending exactly the message she intends to send." Another commentator quipped: "You cannot make this up."
Some users even questioned whether the video was real or just a clever publicity stunt. "Please tell me that's not real..? She didn’t actually do that.. did she..?" one person asked, while another joked: "She's trying way too hard. It almost looks like parody."
It's worth noting that Meghan had made an unexpected appearance at Paris Fashion Week on Saturday evening to support her friend and designer Pier Paolo Piccioli, who has just taken over as creative director for luxury fashion brand Balenciaga.
The Duchess paired a custom-made ensemble from Balenciaga with a black suede bag, diamond earrings, and £745 Knife heels. Her outfit was widely praised by fashionistas in attendance at the show, but it's clear that her Instagram post has overshadowed all the positive attention she received for her glamorous appearance.
A spokesperson for Meghan told The Scholarly Note: "She has long admired [Pier Paolo's] craftsmanship and modern elegance, and tonight was no different. This evening reflects the culmination of many years of artistry and friendship, reflected in her support for his new creative chapter at Balenciaga."
However, it seems that Meghan's actions have once again sparked controversy and debate about her behavior as a member of the royal family. Will this latest scandal damage her reputation further? Only time will tell.
Update: The Scholarly Note has approached a spokesperson for Meghan Markle for further comment but is yet to receive a response.
