Meghan Markle Reportedly ‘Insisted’ On Flying First Class To Charity Visit In Rwanda While Promoting Her Status As A ‘Humanitarian,’ Insider Reveals: ‘Opportunistically Orchestrated’

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."