Meghan Markle has distanced herself from a right-wing Finnish politician after a selfie taken during her recent trip to Geneva sparked controversy. The Duchess of Sussex was photographed smiling alongside Wille Rydman, Finland's minister for social affairs and health, at a dinner hosted by the World Health Organisation. The image, shared by Rydman on Instagram with the caption 'A dinner with Meghan,' quickly drew criticism as social media users highlighted his history of alleged racist and sexually inappropriate comments.
Allegations Against Rydman
Rydman, 40, has been embroiled in multiple scandals. In 2021, leaked text messages revealed he allegedly made racist remarks, including describing people from the Middle East as 'desert monkeys' and saying Somalis were 'spreading like weeds.' He also reportedly joked about being a Nazi and made offensive comments about Muslim women wearing headscarves. In 2022, he faced allegations of grooming and sexually harassing young women, though a preliminary investigation found insufficient evidence to press charges. Rydman has denied all allegations and published a book defending himself.
Meghan's Response
A spokesperson for the Duchess of Sussex told the Daily Mail: 'To be absolutely clear, the Duchess does not know Mr Rydman, had no prior awareness of him attending the event, and was unfamiliar with the concerning reports relating to him.' The spokesperson added that vetting every person who asks for a selfie is not possible, and Meghan 'politely obliged' his request as she was leaving the venue.
Context of the Trip
Meghan was in Geneva for the World Health Organisation's 79th World Health Assembly, where she delivered a speech on children's online safety, calling it a 'public health issue.' She also met with grieving families who lost children to online harm. The dinner included over 25 ministers and WHO delegates.
Criticism Over Social Media Post
The controversy comes amid criticism of Meghan for posting a mirror selfie with her daughter Lilibet on Instagram just before her speech, showing the child helping her choose outfits. Royal expert Tom Sykes called the post 'tone-deaf,' noting the hypocrisy of advocating for children's online safety while exposing her own child to social media. Meghan's supporters, however, praised her speech as powerful and moving.
Rydman is a member of the Finns Party, part of Finland's centre-right coalition government since 2023. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo previously described Rydman's language as 'inappropriate' but stopped short of demanding his resignation.
