No matter what Meghan Markle does, she just can’t get it right in the eyes of her critics.
It’s no secret that the Duchess of Sussex netted herself plenty of detractors following her highly-publicized – if unexpectedly brief – time as a senior member of the British Royal Family. Meghan and Harry have continued to cause a stir since stepping back from their royal duties and relocating to the US, where virtually all of their subsequent projects have been divisive, to say the least.
The couple have publicly hit out at numerous aspects of their lives as working royals, including alleged unfair treatment by the British media, as well as the fact that Meghan felt isolated and alone after wedding Prince Harry.
Though the gaping wounds dealt to the Sussexes’ relationship with the British monarchy may never fully heal, Harry and Meghan appear to be doing their utmost to move on with their lives.
After settling into their family home in Montecito, California, the couple have been involved in a number of high-profile projects, including a Netflix series that took a candid look at their new lives across the Atlantic, as well as podcast deals with Spotify and, of course, Harry’s tell-all memoir, Spare.
Not only that, but in recent times Harry and Meghan have been assuming duties that appear suspiciously royal in nature. Earlier this year the pair embarked on a tour of Nigeria, garnering headlines and attention despite the fact that – on paper at least – they’re mere everyday civilians like the rest of us.
CALI, COLOMBIA – AUGUST 18: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Aurora Vergara, and Francia Marquez, Colombian vice president are seen at the Afro Women and Power Forum at the Municipal Theater of Calid during a visit around Colombia on August 18, 2024 in Cali, Colombia. (Photo by Gabriel Aponte/Getty Images)
The couple then visited South America, more specifically Colombia, drawing criticism from some quarters over perceived “hypocrisy” relating to their unwillingness to visit the UK (Harry’s homeland) due to safety concerns.
And it’s not just their decision to travel to Colombia that’s rubbed people the wrong way, apparently. No, Meghan’s critics were out in force last week after she donned a pricey mauve-pink dress with a low-cut neckline and high slit during a visit National Centre for the Arts, in Bogotá on August 15.
Just why people feel the need to attack high-profile individuals based on their appearance or what they choose to wear remains a mystery to us, but it’s become a definite trend in recent times.
Credit / Getty Images – Anadolu / Contributor
In any case, Meghan attended the above event alongside Prince Harry, but it was her Johanna Ortiz dress, which reportedly cost $2,150, that stole much of the attention.
One internet user wrote on X: “Still dressing inappropriately. Showing to much skin. The Narasist still thinking the victim. Along with the husband who acts like a child [sic].”
“It’s really all about a fashion show. Nothing more🤣🤣” wrote another.
“She could have bought the same thing for 50 bucks at Walmart!” a third chimed.
“Lovely dress. Not suited for the occasion- again. Her clothes are on repeat… same styles different day. She has about 4 outfits she selects and varies [sic]” opined a fourth.
A fifth struck out at Meghan apparently not respecting Colombia’s traditions. “She does not dress like a royal….or respect the country’s traditions,” they wrote.
“Always a thigh high slit for school children. Not very Royal [sic],” another individual commented.
As already touched upon, Harry and Meghan’s trip to Colombia has come in for some serious criticism after the concern they expressed about returning to the UK.
The U.S. Department of State has Colombia marked at a Level 3 travel advisory, urging visitors to “reconsider travel” due to “crime and terrorism.”
Similarly, the UK’s governmental website advises “against all but essential travel to parts of Colombia,” on account of the risk of kidnapping, as well as crime and terrorism.
“It does seem odd that Harry and Meghan consider London too dangerous to visit without royal protection but are perfectly willing to tour a country that is notorious for its drug-related violence,” royal expert Christopher Andersen, author of The King told Fox News.
He went on: “Their security detail in Colombia is described as massive, and it had better be. Colombian Vice-President Francia Marquez, who invited Harry and Megan to visit her country and is accompanying them, has been the target of numerous death threats and assassination attempts.”
What do you think about Harry and Meghan’s decision to travel to Colombia? And what are your thoughts in Meghan’s dress? Let us know in the comments.