Piers Morgan sparks outrage after telling Meghan Markle to 'go back to America' over privacy demands
Meghan Markle’s supporters are once again coming to her defense in the wake of fresh criticism over her efforts to protect her privacy.
On Saturday, the duchess and Prince Harry opted for a media-free, private christening for son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. The decision was criticized by the British press, though Meghan’s fans backed the move, citing her treatment by the media, as well as the fierce scrutiny over the late Princess Diana.
Now the California-born duchess is facing backlash following a report from Britain’s Telegraph newspaper in which columnist and media consultant Sally Jones claims a man she took to be a royal protection officer asked her to not take photos of Meghan in the stands at Wimbledon last Thursday as “she’s here in a private capacity.” The former Suits star attended the tennis tournament last week in support of friend Serena Williams.
According to Jones, these alleged “demands for ever more privacy are alienating even committed monarchists.” The Daily Mail’s royal correspondent, Rebecca English, also argued that the situation “doesn’t play out terribly well.”
This not the fault of her PR team whatsoever. But Meghan should be advised that this doesn’t play out terribly well. The Royal Family occupy a very privileged position. That doesn’t mean they aren’t entitled to some privacy. But not at a global sporting event;
— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) July 9, 2019
The issue of a PPO trying to stop people from taking pictures is a well worn one. As long as they have assured themselves the person is not a threat, it shouldn’t be their job. And it’s turned what should be a nice picture caption into a story being discussed worldwide.
— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) July 9, 2019
Speaking on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday, talk show host Piers Morgan took a harsher view.
"This is so ridiculous, this obsession that her and Harry have about privacy,” Morgan ranted.
"It's rankly hypocritical and they're not private people, they're the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. We get to pay for their mansion, we get to do all of this ..."
Piers Morgan has a message for Meghan Markle following her recent appearance at Wimbledon 😅 #GMB@piersmorgan pic.twitter.com/ga0IxqaIQi
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) July 9, 2019
He went on to criticize Meghan for expecting privacy while sitting in Wimbledon’s Royal Box, though English reports that she wasn’t in the area reserved for royals, but rather as a personal guest of Williams.
“If you want to be private, go back to America and live privately, it’s pretty straightforward,” he continued, prompting an objection co-host Susanna Reid.
“They don’t have to go back to America by the way,” she said, while Morgan railed, “She does, she’s American!”
“They don’t have to go back,” Reid shot back. “She’s married an Englishman!”
“She doesn’t want to be a British public figure in the royal family, go back to America,” Morgan responded.
“She wants to live here!” Reid argued.
He later tweeted that it was “absurd” for Meghan to expect privacy.
It’s absurd for Ms Markle to demand privacy as she sits in the royal box on a publicly-funded jolly with her mates... https://t.co/vcaymV3dyt
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 9, 2019
Morgan’s comments have sparked backlash of their own, with many accusing him of targeting Meghan because of her race.
Piers Morgan’s racist just came out “go back to America” rings a lot like “go back to your country” Meghan’s country is the UK now Piers
— GinGayTastic (@BloggingMartin) July 9, 2019
Are you trying to incite the british public against the only black member of the royal family?
— Keniakiki (@keniakiki) July 9, 2019
He is obsessed with this woman, and he has influence . Restraining order ?
— tom (@tomgor) July 9, 2019
He’s bloody obsessed with her!!! Thank god he’s not a newspaper editor anymore or he would do his utmost to bring her down. @piersmorgan just leave her alone - YAWN
— Lindsay West (@LindziWest) July 9, 2019
Today we're seeing the xenophobic and misogynoir anti-Meghan narrative play out on UK morning TV and twitter. The message by the professional @GMB troll today: if Meghan wants privacy she should go back to America. I just wanted to underscore a couple things as this continues pic.twitter.com/0jimCjciAp
— Goldburn P. Maynard Jr. (@deathntaxesprof) July 9, 2019
Morgan’s rant comes days after he mocked Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for her past job as a bartender.
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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry split from joint charity with Kate Middleton and Prince William
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