Meghan Markle: Amid Controversy, A Struggle to Remain Steadfast
The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, finds herself in the spotlight once again, grappling with the fallout of her and Prince Harry's claims of a perilous car chase encounter. An anonymous friend of Meghan told Star, "Nothing is going to plan for Meghan."
The royal couple is dealing with increasing backlash, causing Meghan to grapple with mounting pressure. "Meghan's doing her best to keep the faith and remain positive," a source close to the duchess reveals, despite various setbacks.
During her acceptance speech for the Woman of Vision Award at the Ziegfeld Ballroom on May 16 in New York City, Meghan voiced her commitment to advocating for the unheard. Speaking on the challenges she faced with the royal family, she said, "and to be not afraid of saying what you know is true." However, this sentiment was tested hours later when Meghan and Prince Harry reported a distressing encounter with the paparazzi, drawing parallels with Princess Diana's tragic accident in 1997.
Their claims of a "near catastrophic car chase" that endured for over two hours were met with skepticism, with accusations of exaggeration quickly surfacing. This further impacted Meghan, who has already faced significant trials since leaving the royal family in early 2020. "Meghan is still picking herself off the floor and trying to make sense of it all. She’s very upset,” said the source.
Their security detail paints a picture of chaos with "a dozen vehicles: cars, scooters, and bicycles,” according to team member Chris Sanchez. He suggested that the event posed significant risk. "The public were in jeopardy at several points. It could have been fatal.” However, the NYPD seemed to downplay the situation, stating that there were “no reported collisions, summonses, injuries, or arrests” and that no further investigation would take place.
Meghan and Harry, parents to Archie, 4, and Lili, 2, faced further criticism for choosing to stay with a friend instead of opting for a hotel with high-level security. The backlash intensified when they requested photo and video evidence from a photo agency, who rebutted by affirming ownership rights. Many accused Harry of exaggerating to bolster his legal bid for special police protection in the U.K., a case he later lost. The couple's rep has since responded, stating that it was absurd to consider this a PR stunt, given the duke's family history.
Meghan, who has often been compared to Princess Diana, has faced considerable challenges since stepping back from her acting career to marry Prince Harry. Despite these trials, Meghan remains focused on her philanthropic work. However, her endeavors have yet to make the desired impact in the States. According to the source, Meghan had hoped to have achieved more by now and she continually seeks recognition for her humanitarian work.
Amidst the ongoing controversy, Harry is doing his utmost to support Meghan. The source suggests that the criticism they are facing, particularly from Americans, is causing significant stress for Harry. "He just wants everything to be perfect — but he and Meghan keep getting themselves into trouble.”