Duchess of Sussex Radiates Enthusiasm at Sundance Documentary Premiere
The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, displayed unmistakable delight during the world premiere of her documentary Cookie Queens at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival in Utah. The former actress, aged 44, appeared alongside director Alysa Nahamias at the Eccles Theatre in Salt Lake City, where Prince Harry was among the audience members.
Visible Excitement During Director's Speech
As director Alysa Nahamias addressed the audience, thanking Meghan for her "incredible support" and "unwavering trust," the Duchess was observed gradually moving from behind the director into full view on stage. With her arms folded and a shy smile, Meghan remained visible for approximately one minute before discreetly returning to her position behind Nahamias as applause filled the theatre.
The Sussexes serve among 24 executive producers, co-producers, and producers for Cookie Queens, which explores the American tradition of Girl Scouts selling cookies to raise funds. Meghan, who was herself a Girl Scout with her mother Doria Ragland as troop leader, expressed particular personal connection to the project.
Personal Connection and On-Stage Remarks
In her own speech, the Duchess praised the documentary as "probably the cutest at the festival" and thanked attendees for their early morning commitment. "Thank you so much for being here bright and early," she told the audience. "I know some of you probably had late nights, last night, so extra thanks for the effort."
Meghan emphasized the values she gained from her Girl Scout experience, telling reporters: "It really embeds such great values from the get-go. I think the value of friendship, of being dedicated to a goal, as you see that in Cookie Queens, is so reflective of how these girls stick to something that is important to them and don't give up."
Controversy Over Screening Attendance
Following the premiere, conflicting reports emerged regarding the screening's attendance. Some media outlets, including The New York Post, claimed approximately 150 empty seats were visible when the documentary began on Sunday morning, with tickets costing up to $7,000 for festival passes. Page Six later reported this number reduced to around 60 empty seats when the film started ten minutes late.
However, supporters of the Sussexes, often referred to as the Sussex Squad, vehemently disputed these claims. Multiple attendees insisted the theatre was a "packed house" for the 9am documentary screening. Several supporters shared screenshots from ticket websites showing no available tickets for the premiere or subsequent screenings throughout the festival week.
Production Background and Distribution Status
According to reports from Tom Sykes' The Royalist substack, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex became involved with Cookie Queens only after the film's completion. The 91-minute documentary follows four Girl Scouts during the iconic cookie-selling season and currently remains without a distributor.
When questioned about whether her daughter Lilibet might become a Girl Scout in future, Meghan offered a non-committal response, stating they would "continue to explore whatever feels right."
The premiere concluded with Meghan posing for selfies with fans and receiving warm embraces from attendees, while Prince Harry observed from the background. The documentary represents another production credit for Archewell Productions, the couple's media company, which Meghan referenced during her speech as being "so proud and privileged" to support the project.
