Celebrity Visits: A Heartfelt Gesture or a Publicity Stunt?

When big-name celebrities visit sick or underprivileged children, it often warms our hearts.

Take Johnny Depp's memorable trip to the Children's Hospital, where he brought smiles to ailing kids.

Or consider Catherine, Princess of Wales, who recently spent time at the Centre for Children with Special Education Needs.

These acts of kindness are undeniably uplifting.

However, when it comes to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, the narrative takes a different turn.

Flashback to 2021.

Meghan made headlines when she visited Harlem's 123 Mahalia Jackson School, a place that serves some of New York's most disadvantaged students.

Kudos to her for showing up!

But was this visit motivated purely by altruism?

Was it really about the love for children?

Some might argue that there was a more strategic angle at play—like generating buzz for their $80 million Netflix series and promoting Meghan's children's book.

It seems like a calculated move rather than a spontaneous act of goodwill.

As if this spectacle wasn't enough, new emails have surfaced that add a twist to the tale.

During the planning of her school visit, Meghan reportedly requested the school to sign a clause preventing anyone from saying anything negative about the event.

This bizarre request raises eyebrows.

Can you imagine Catherine, Princess of Wales, demanding such a gag order?

It's hard to fathom.

With each passing day, comparisons between Meghan Markle and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un grow more pronounced.

Both seem to share a similar philosophy: any dissent or negativity must be silenced.

Regardless of the underlying motives, it's likely that the children were thrilled to have someone as prominent as Meghan read to them.

The school itself was doing commendable work, supporting 461 students and providing meals for many struggling families.

The day of the visit arrived after weeks of careful planning.

Meghan stepped into the school wearing a stunning ensemble: an $8,000 Loro Piana cashmere coat, $2,300 pants, and $600 Manolo Blahnik shoes, topped off with nearly $400,000 worth of jewelry.

The total cost of her outfit could easily surpass the lifetime earnings of many in that room.

The Daily Mail even pointed out that Meghan might need to work on her ability to read the room.

Once settled, Meghan began reading from her book, “The Bench.”

She started with a dedication, claiming it was for the man and boy who make her heart go “pump pump.”

At that moment, the staff likely understood the reason behind the gag order.

The book has received dismal reviews, holding a mere 2.2-star rating on Google.

It's fair to say that even the late Robin Williams couldn't have salvaged this literary effort.

Critics have not held back in their assessments of “The Bench.”

One comment suggested that those who rated it higher than one star either hadn't read a good children's book or didn't have kids.

Others lamented that they wanted their time back after reading it, calling it mind-numbing nonsense.

Meghan seems to have a knack for wasting time and resources, whether through her Archwell Foundation, which reportedly operates with minimal commitment, or her ill-fated podcast.

One parent noted that their kids were snoring by the fourth page of the book.

If anything, children can usually find entertainment in the simplest things, so it's perplexing that a mother of two couldn't create something engaging.

Reviewers described the book as devoid of fun and fantasy, leaving many unsure of its intended audience.

Another critic went so far as to call it poorly written and boring, stating they wouldn't dare read it to their students.

The most scathing review called it “total vomit” and “pretentious claptrap.”

While it's often said that everyone has at least one book in them, this case seems to defy that notion.

Despite the mixed reactions, there's a silver lining.

The children of Harlem likely left that day relieved they wouldn't have to endure Meghan Markle's lackluster storytelling again.

Malcolm Ecstasy posed a thought-provoking question: was it really fair to subject these children to such a self-absorbed experience?

Meghan's uninspired children's book might just deter an entire generation from picking up a book in the future.