Meghan Markle faced backlash and was asked to leave the premiere of CNN Films’ Chowchilla documentary, which explores the horrifying 1976 kidnapping of 26 children and their bus driver in California.

The former actress, who now resides in California with her husband, made an uninvited appearance at the Montecito Cinema on Sunday, December 3.

However, her presence was met with disapproval from the filmmakers and survivors of the tragic event.

According to sources, Meghan’s attendance at the screening was seen as an attempt to seize the spotlight for her own publicity.

The survivors, who felt that their trauma was being exploited, expressed their discontent.

One survivor, quoted by the Daily Mail, stated, “She had no business being there.

She obviously doesn’t care about the lives of those 25 people.

All she wants is her PR and to look humanitarian.”

Despite her efforts to mingle with the crowd and pose for photographs, Meghan was met with cold shoulders and angry glares.

The survivors were quick to point out that she could never truly understand their ordeal, stating, “She was acting like she was one of us, but she’s not.

She’s never been through anything like what we went through.

She’s just a privileged Hollywood star who married into royalty.”

Upon realizing Meghan’s presence, the executive producers of the documentary confronted her and requested that she leave.

They emphasized that the event was not about her, but rather about the individuals who suffered and survived the kidnapping.

“She didn’t belong there and was ruining the event for the real victims,” a source revealed.

In response, Meghan left the cinema accompanied by her security team, without making any comments to the media or the public.

The Sussexes’ spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment regarding the incident.

Meanwhile, the documentary Chowchilla, directed by Max, delves into the chilling mass kidnapping that occurred on July 15, 1976.

Three armed men hijacked a school bus carrying 26 children and their driver, Frank Edward Ray, and transported them to a remote quarry in Livermore.

There, they confined the victims in a buried moving truck equipped with limited supplies.

Initially planning to demand a $5 million ransom, the kidnappers’ phone calls went unanswered.

After approximately 16 hours underground, Ray and the children managed to dig themselves out, ultimately surviving the ordeal.

The kidnappers were later apprehended and sentenced to life in prison.

The documentary features interviews with the survivors, recounting their harrowing memories and exploring the lasting impact of the incident on their lives.

Critically acclaimed, the film has received multiple award nominations.

However, Meghan Markle’s involvement in various controversies since leaving the royal family has drawn criticism.

Many accuse her of lacking empathy and sensitivity towards the victims of the Chowchilla kidnapping.

Some believe she attempted to exploit the documentary as a platform to promote her own agenda and image, disregarding the genuine emotions and issues faced by those who experienced the nightmare.

Furthermore, questions arose regarding Meghan’s choice to wear a red poppy pin, a symbol of remembrance for fallen soldiers of the British Commonwealth, at an event unrelated to the military or the UK.

These actions have further fueled the perception that Meghan prioritizes her personal interests over the concerns of others.