Royals

Meghan Markle faces backlash over new request on tour with Prince Harry

Meghan Markle sparked debate after asking fans to call her ‘Meg’ during Australia visit

Published April 21, 2026
Meghan Markle faces backlash over new request on tour with Prince Harry
Meghan Markle faces backlash over new request on tour with Prince Harry

Meghan Markle landed in hot water after she asked people to call her “Meg” during a series of engagements in Australia alongside Prince Harry.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex recently went on a non-royal tour when they visited several places in Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney.

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The couple took part in charity and community events, including a stop at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.

Meghan also carried out a solo visit to McAuley Community Services for Women, which supports homeless women and those affected by domestic violence.

However, some critics claimed the request to be addressed as “Meg” felt like an attempt to appear more relatable.

Speaking on it, an insider told an entertainment site, "Encouraging people to basically 'Call my Meg' is being seen by critics as a carefully curated attempt to project approachability, but it is clashing with a long-established perception of her as a multi-millionaire figure with exacting, and well-known diva standards.”

"This kind of informality feels staged, particularly given the level of privilege and expectation that surrounds her, and that disconnect is what people are reacting to so strongly,” they added. 

F. Qureshi
F. Qureshi is a Deputy News Editor covering royal affairs, fashion, and Netflix films, with 4 years of experience in the field. She brings a lifestyle-driven lens to her work, connecting royal narratives with style trends and on-screen storytelling, while offering readers engaging, well-rounded coverage across tradition and contemporary entertainment.
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