Meghan Markle has sparked fresh criticism following her recent appearance on the Aspire with Emma Grede podcast, where she made remarks that many interpret as a veiled jab at the Royal Family and the media.
During the conversation, host and businesswoman Emma Grede asked the Duchess of Sussex whether she would change anything about how she is publicly perceived, if given the opportunity to reshape her image.
Markle responded pointedly, “Yes, I would ask people to tell the truth.” The comment drew swift backlash from royal commentators, particularly from Kinsey Schofield, a well-known royal correspondent. Appearing on TALKTV, Schofield called Meghan’s remark a missed opportunity for humility and reflection.
“Wouldn’t it have been a beautiful humble moment,” Schofield said, “had when the host asked Meghan, ‘Is there anything you would have done differently?’ had Meghan swapped those answers and said, ‘Absolutely not, because I’m in the position I am today because of the mistakes I’d made previously’ instead of that bitter, miserable reaction which is, ‘It’s other people’s fault…’”
The discussion on the podcast also touched on Markle’s experience of life in the public eye. She shared her thoughts on navigating fame and scrutiny, describing it as a journey filled with “peaks and valleys.”
“You go, ‘What’s the why?’ It’s happening for a reason,” said Markle, now the founder of lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard and podcast Archetypes. She suggested that perseverance and belief in truth have helped guide her through challenging times.
She cited a piece of advice from a close friend and fellow public figure: “My dear friend Serena [Williams]… she told me years ago, ‘A lie can’t live forever. Eight years is a long time, but not forever,’” Markle noted, suggesting that truth will eventually rise above the noise.
The Duchess’s critics, however, saw her comments as another attempt to shift blame for her public challenges, particularly regarding her time as a working royal and the controversial exit she and Prince Harry made from the Royal Family in 2020.
Markle’s latest remarks have reignited long-running debates about her relationship with the monarchy, the media, and the general public. While some see her as a woman reclaiming her voice, others believe she continues to harbor resentment. As the fallout from the interview continues, no official response has been made by Buckingham Palace.