Meghan Markle criticised over reported objection to 'royalty' label
Meghan Markle has faced fresh criticism after reports claimed she was unhappy about being described as 'royalty' during an upcoming appearance on MasterChef Australia. The Duchess of Sussex reportedly took issue with comments made by the show's judges, who introduced her as 'MasterChef royalty' before welcoming her into the kitchen.
Tom Slater accuses Meghan of hypocrisy
Reacting to the reports, Spiked Online editor Tom Slater accused Meghan of being 'hypocritical,' arguing that she and Prince Harry have continued to benefit from their royal titles despite stepping back from official royal duties. Speaking to Sky News Australia host Jaimee Rogers, Slater said the Sussexes had spent years 'trying to trade on' their royal status.
'They've been trying to trade on these titles for a very long time,' he said. 'They saw it as almost a kind of cheat code into the top player of the international celebrity set.'
Sussexes' post-royal branding
Harry and Meghan stepped down as senior working royals in 2020 but retained their titles as Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Shortly after announcing their departure, the couple launched their now-defunct Sussex Royal brand before agreeing to stop using the name following discussions with Buckingham Palace.
Slater argued that Meghan's reported discomfort at being described as 'royalty' was at odds with the couple's continued use of their titles. 'It's just so utterly hypocritical, but we've come to expect that from these two,' he said.
Meghan's public image under scrutiny
He also claimed the Duchess seeks to present herself as 'down to earth and relatable' while simultaneously benefiting from the status that comes with marrying into the Royal Family. 'On the one hand, she likes to think of herself as terribly down to earth and relatable, but at the same time, [she] rankles when anyone points out the perch that she has taken for herself,' Slater said.
The criticism follows reports that Meghan's MasterChef Australia appearance, filmed during a recent visit to Australia, is due to air in the coming weeks. During a preview of the episode, judges introduced the Duchess by saying: 'We've had MasterChef royalty in the kitchen before. All the way from sunny California, please welcome to MasterChef Australia, the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan.'
No public comment from Sussexes
Neither Meghan nor Prince Harry has publicly commented on the reports surrounding the episode or the criticism levelled by Slater. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have continued to attract attention for their relationship with the Royal Family and the role their titles play in their post-royal careers, with debate over their public image remaining a frequent topic.
