Meghan Markle has been labeled ‘Duchess Difficult’ for several years – and judging by a claim from a royal author, that reputation may have started long before she even entered the royal family!
Royal biographer Tom Bower has alleged that the former Suits actress, 44, made a series of diva-style demands during a charity trip to Rwanda in early 2016 – two years before she married Prince Harry and officially became the Duchess of Sussex.
Meghan Markle’s Charity Trip To Rwanda In Early 2016
According to Bower’s book Revenge: Meghan, Harry and the War Between the Windsors, the trip was organized by World Vision Canada, a branch of the global Christian humanitarian organization that focuses on improving access to clean water, education, and healthcare in developing communities. Meghan was serving as an ambassador for the charity at the time, and was reportedly invited to visit Rwanda to help raise awareness for World Vision’s Clean Water initiative.
The visit, which took place in January 2016, was meant to highlight the charity’s efforts to build water wells and improve sanitation for children and families in rural areas. The mom-of-two met with local residents and schoolchildren and took part in a ceremonial water pump installation as part of a filmed campaign for the charity.
But according to Bower, things weren’t so selfless and wholesome behind-the-scenes, as he claims Meghan had a long list of requirements for the trip – including flying first class, bringing multiple suitcases of outfits, and travelling with a small entourage!
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Meghan Markle Reportedly Used The Charity Trip To 'Pose As A Philanthropist'
"The actress insisted on flying to Rwanda first-class and be accompanied by Gabor Jurina, a Canadian fashion photographer. Michael Goyette, an American hair and makeup-stylist was also listed as travelling with Gabor," Bower wrote.
He then claimed that the With Love, Meghan star's demands exceeded the budget for the trip, forcing the film's producer Brenda Surminski to withdraw from the project. And naturally, she had thoughts about it…
After the shoot, Surminski reportedly said it was "mind-blowing" to think that someone had staged a photoshoot in an impoverished African village, adding Meghan had "opportunistically orchestrated the trip to pose as a philanthropist."
How Did Meghan Get Involved?
Bower also detailed how the As Ever founder became connected to World Vision in the first place, and it seems like Meghan's involvement was largely due to her professional relationship with advertising executive Matt Hassell, then creative director at the Toronto agency KBS.
Hassell had previously worked with Meghan on a 2015 UN Women campaign called Leaders, which promoted female empowerment and gender equality. "To Meghan's good fortune, Hassell had fallen under her spell," Bower wrote, adding: "Some would even say he was besotted by her."
Although Hassell was said to be initially "put off" by Meghan's strong opinions and desire for full creative control, he eventually became an ally. When World Vision Canada began searching for a new global ambassador, Hassell reportedly recommended Meghan directly to the charity's Chief Marketing Officer, Lara Dewar. Dewar just so happened to be a huge Suits fan, and was reportedly "enthusiastic" about the idea of Meghan being on board.
According to Bower, Meghan also jumped at the opportunity. She apparently saw the World Vision role as a fresh chance to boost her humanitarian profile after a disappointing stint with UN Women, where she had hoped for a bigger ambassador role. Bower went on to say that Meghan viewed the trip as "some revenge after the negativity of the UN executives."
Internet Reactions
"She's some piece of work, isn't she?" asked one Daily Mail reader on an article about her demands for the trip. "Meg's getting into her faux humanitarianism at an early age. Really all just media hype for her own means, as it continues to be to this day," slammed a second.
"All an act and inauthentic from the deeply unpleasant, calculating person cosplaying a humanitarian and Diana," thought a third, as a fourth added: "The trip would be all about Markle as per usual. Look at how she has turned the Invictus Games into her show (along with Harry.) It's very disturbing how vulnerable people are used by the very people who are pretending to help."
A fifth chimed in: "A visit to Rwanda to promote her 'humanitarian' status. Real humanitarians don't ever promote themselves or buy themselves plastic awards, they are genuine people who quietly get on with trying to help others and would never expect plaudits for doing so."
