The latest high-profile magazine interview with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex has sparked fresh debate, but not for the reasons one might expect. While the Duchess shared personal revelations about her family life, it was a seemingly formal introduction that captured public attention and prompted royal commentator Jennie Bond to spring to her defence.
The Controversial Introduction
During an interview with Harper's Bazaar magazine, journalist revealed an unexpected moment when arriving at a New York house for her second meeting with the former actress. The house manager formally introduced her as 'Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex', despite nobody else apparently being present in the property.
This incident comes against the backdrop of ongoing criticism directed at Meghan and Prince Harry for retaining their royal titles despite stepping back from their official duties five years ago. The formal introduction struck many as contradictory to their current status and has since become a focal point for discussion and mockery on social media and beyond.
Jennie Bond's Defence
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond described the situation as 'absurd' given the context. She noted to the Mirror that this was the journalist's second encounter with Meghan, with their first meeting being notably informal as they shared burger and chips at a restaurant.
Bond suggested that the responsibility likely lay elsewhere, explaining: 'I suspect that this was simply a house manager getting overly pompous about the fact that there was a Duchess in the house. Americans tend to get very excited about titles.'
The royal expert emphasised that the incident occurred at a friend's home where staff were probably being 'over-zealous'. Bond added: 'It simply doesn't sound like the huggy, friendly Meghan we see portrayed elsewhere. So, I don't think we should start criticising Meghan for this.'
Thanksgiving Charity Work
Meanwhile, the Duke and Duchess have been focusing on family and philanthropic efforts in the lead-up to the US Thanksgiving holiday. In a rare public appearance with both their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, the couple volunteered at Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles (OBKLA).
The community-run non-profit kitchen prepares and distributes meals for people in Los Angeles experiencing hardship. Photographs shared on Meghan's Instagram stories showed the couple smiling while preparing meals, with Meghan wearing a black apron bearing the blue logo of their Archewell Foundation.
Meghan captioned the images with the Archewell Foundation's mission statement: 'show up, do good'. A subsequent statement on the foundation's website confirmed their commitment to 'putting compassion into action – serving and uplifting communities locally and globally'.
The statement continued: 'As we head into the holiday season, we celebrate those working every day to ensure that no one is left behind, and where the needs of our neighbours are met.'
