Meghan Markle’s Humanitarian Image Under Fire: A Closer Look

Meghan Markle's humanitarian efforts have come under scrutiny, raising eyebrows about her motives during her trips abroad.

The Duchess of Sussex first partnered with World Vision while filming “Suits,” embarking on a journey to Rwanda in 2016, followed by visits to India in early 2017.

These trips coincided with the budding romance between her and Prince Harry.

However, recent allegations suggest that her intentions may not have been as altruistic as they appeared.

Critics have pointed out that some individuals were allegedly compensated to pose alongside Meghan, allowing her to project an image of compassion and philanthropy.

This tactic, they argue, was aimed at attracting a wealthy partner from England.

The backlash intensified when Meghan's trip to India was deemed a significant misstep, particularly due to her perceived insensitivity during interactions with locals.

Many feel she undermined the very cause she sought to promote.

The discontent reached a boiling point last year when Indian actress Simi Garawal publicly criticized Meghan following her interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Garawal accused Meghan of playing the victim and resorting to deceitful tactics to garner sympathy.

“I don't believe a word Meghan says,” Garawal tweeted, asserting that Meghan was exploiting her racial identity to manipulate public perception.

During her visit to India, Meghan engaged in various activities, including painting a mural with students and donning a traditional saree while conversing with local women.

She also attended a performance showcasing traditional dance.

Yet, these gestures have been overshadowed by the controversies surrounding her behavior and motivations.

In his book, Tom Bauer paints a starkly different picture of Meghan's humanitarian trip to Rwanda.

He claims that her focus was less on charity and more on self-promotion.

According to Bauer, Meghan traveled first class, accompanied by a hair and makeup artist, as well as a fashion photographer, Gab Oduina.

This stark contrast to the dire conditions of the communities she visited raised questions about the authenticity of her commitment.

Bauer recounts that after a brief filming session where Meghan interacted with children near a water tap, she reportedly vanished with the photographer to take staged photos.

The producer of the trip, Brenda Siminski, expressed her bewilderment at the use of a struggling African village as a backdrop for what seemed like a fashion shoot.

The connection between Meghan and World Vision was facilitated by the advertising agency KBS, whose creative director suggested she would be a perfect fit for promoting the charity.

Interestingly, Siminski had only a brief conversation with Meghan before she agreed to join the project, indicating a lack of deep engagement with the cause.

As the trip unfolded, Meghan's actions raised eyebrows.

Bauer detailed how she spent hours posing for photos with children, rather than engaging in meaningful humanitarian work.

The producer felt that Meghan was more interested in crafting a narrative for herself than genuinely helping those in need.

Months later, the photographer shared the polished images on his website, suggesting that the photos were intended for a different purpose altogether.

This further fueled skepticism about Meghan's true intentions during her humanitarian endeavors.

On her lifestyle blog, The Tig, Meghan reflected on her time in Rwanda, claiming she balanced her Hollywood life with her humanitarian pursuits.

“My life shifts from refugee camps to red carpets,” she wrote, expressing her desire to be a working woman rather than just a socialite.