Meghan Markle, the former actress and self-proclaimed Duchess of Sussex, encountered a challenging and degrading welcome at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas.
The incident unfolded on Monday as she took the stage to discuss her journey as a mother and a feminist.
The audience, comprising individuals who had invested significantly to be present at the event and witness her speech, responded with a mix of boos and cheers, along with shouts urging her to leave, reflecting their discontent and disapproval towards her and her endeavors.
Initially enthusiastic about utilizing the festival as a platform to showcase herself and her contentious Netflix partnership, Meghan found herself at a loss for words and seething with anger as the audience’s reaction intensified.
As a co-founder of the Artool Foundation and Artool Productions, and a vocal advocate for human rights and gender equality, Meghan’s presence at the festival’s inauguration aimed to shed light on the theme “Redefining Motherhood: How I Found My Voice and Purpose.”
This was intended to provide a glimpse into her experiences and struggles as a mother to her two children, Archie and Lilbit, and as a woman of color navigating the realms of media and entertainment.
However, the moment Meghan stepped onto the stage, she was met with a barrage of disapproving jeers and hisses from the audience, making it evident that her narrative was not welcome.
Some attendees brandished signs labeling her as deceitful and inauthentic, while others sported t-shirts emblazoned with messages like “Team K” and “God Save the Queen.”
Amidst the chaos, objects, including tomatoes, were hurled towards her, narrowly missing their mark.
The predominantly royal family and British culture enthusiasts in the audience felt incensed and affronted by Meghan’s actions and statements, particularly following her explosive revelations during the Oprah Winfrey interview, where she levied serious accusations of discrimination, neglect, and mistreatment against the monarchy and the media.
Despite her visible shock and dismay at the audience’s reaction, Meghan endeavored to maintain composure and proceed with her speech, only to encounter further resistance and mockery.
Her attempts to share anecdotes about her children and how they served as sources of inspiration and drive were met with skepticism.
Displaying photos purportedly featuring Archie and Lilbit, taken by her and Harry at their residence in Montecito, Meghan faced skepticism from the audience.
Recognizing the images from social media platforms and online forums like StMeghanMarkle subreddit, attendees pointed out discrepancies in the photos, ranging from altered features, skin tones, and hair colors, to evident signs of digital manipulation.
The audience’s discontent culminated in chants demanding Meghan’s departure and accusations of dishonesty, coupled with expressions of allegiance towards other members of the royal family.
Calls for Kate Middleton, Queen Elizabeth II, and King Charles reverberated through the venue, underscoring the attendees’ preference for alternative figures over Meghan.
Expressions of support for Harry, the former Prince of Wales, were juxtaposed with sentiments of disappointment and encouragement for him to reconsider his association with Meghan and return to the United Kingdom.