The News
Title: Meghan Markle Excluded from Rose Parade Amidst Controversy
The Rose Parade, a highly anticipated annual event, attracts millions of viewers worldwide who gather to marvel at the stunning floats, musical performances, and equestrian displays.
This year marks the 135th edition of the parade, known for featuring a mix of celebrities providing commentary alongside the hosts.
However, one notable absence from the lineup this year is Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex and former actress.
According to reports from the LA Times Magazine, Meghan was initially extended an invitation as a special guest for the parade.
However, Jerika Duncan, a prominent CBS journalist and anchor, who is hosting the event for the first time, made the decision to rescind Meghan's invitation.
Insiders suggest that this move stems from Meghan's controversial interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021.
During the interview, Meghan and her husband Prince Harry made shocking allegations against the royal family, accusing them of racism, lack of support, and isolation.
The fallout from the interview triggered a global backlash and internal turmoil within the monarchy, leaving many, particularly in the UK, outraged by the couple's public revelations.
Jerika Duncan, a close friend of Oprah Winfrey who attended Meghan and Harry's wedding in 2018, initially supported the couple.
However, her perception changed after witnessing the interview, leading her to distance herself from Meghan, whom she now considers a troublemaker and untruthful.
Alongside actress Gabrielle L and TikTok star Presley Hosbach, Duncan informed the Tournament of Roses, the parade's organizing body, of her decision to revoke Meghan's invitation, a move that was respected without objection.
Unaware of the sudden turn of events, Meghan was reportedly taken aback and hurt by the news of her exclusion from the parade.
Feeling betrayed and unfairly targeted for speaking her truth, Meghan attempted to reach out to Duncan to mend their friendship, but her attempts were met with silence.
In a bid to intervene, Meghan sought Oprah Winfrey's help to persuade Duncan to reconsider, but Oprah opted not to get involved, stating it was a matter between Meghan and Duncan.
As the Rose Parade approaches on January 1, 2024, with expectations of drawing a massive audience, Meghan Markle will be notably absent among the celebrities.
Instead, she will watch the event from her home in Montecito, harboring feelings of bitterness and resentment.
The decision to depart from the royal family has left Meghan and Prince Harry grappling with the consequences, facing a reality far removed from their aspirations and hopes.
The once-promising future has now turned bleak and foreboding for the couple, who find themselves entangled in a web of despair and anguish.