Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s attendance at the Florida charity polo match sparked discussion on three contentious topics. Fans debated an uncomfortable moment between Meghan and another woman, critiqued her choice of dress, and scrutinized the kiss exchanged between Harry and the Duchess of Sussex.
Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex during the Royal Salute Polo Challenge, to benefit Sentebale, in Wellington, Florida on April 12, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, attended the Florida charity polo match on April 12, 2024. The two looked stunning as they walked hand in hand and engaged with people present at the event.
Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex during the Royal Salute Polo Challenge, to benefit Sentebale, in Wellington, Florida on April 12, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
Meghan exuded chic elegance in an ivory silk and hemp Heidi Merrick Ginger Dress, valued at $515, boasting a cheeky cut-out section ideal for the warm Wellington, Florida climate. She styled her ensemble with beige Aquazzura heels and vintage Chanel jewelry.
Meghan Markle’s entire look was completed with Heidi Merrick’s oversized Santa Barbara sunglasses, a white crossbody Valentino purse, and a small model, quartz movement, yellow gold Tank Française watch.
Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex during the Royal Salute Polo Challenge, to benefit Sentebale, in Wellington, Florida on April 12, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
Harry was in a smart casual look made up of white trousers, a light blue shirt, and a beige coat, completed with loafers and sunglasses. However, it was Meghan’s dress, which caught the attention of online users.
Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex during the Royal Salute Polo Challenge, to benefit Sentebale, in Wellington, Florida on April 12, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
Users were quick to express their disapproval of Meghan’s outfit, citing it as a fashion miss. “So tacky,” a user wrote. Another user voiced their disappointment, “No bra, cut out dress and stilettos at the polo. Just no dress sense or class.”
Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex during the Royal Salute Polo Challenge, to benefit Sentebale, in Wellington, Florida on April 12, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
One unimpressed user commented, “Her hair is greasy, bad fake tan and that outfit is not appropriate and wrinkled again.” Still, Meghan’s fans hailed her appearance, “Meghan looks fantastic!” “She looks beautiful,” a fan concurred.
Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex during the Royal Salute Polo Challenge, to benefit Sentebale, in Wellington, Florida on April 12, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
During this event, Harry competed against his longtime friend Nacho Figueras in the Royal Salute Polo Challenge, an event that supports Harry’s charity, Sentebale. The 39-year-old wore a blue jersey and white riding pants for the two polo matches he played in.
Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex plays in a polo match during the Royal Salute Polo Challenge, to benefit Sentebale in Wellington, Florida, on April 12, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
Sentebale, led by Harry, clinched victory in the first match with a narrow 1-0 win, despite the Duke of Sussex not contributing any points. In the ensuing match against Nacho’s team, Harry managed to score a point, ultimately securing the team’s triumph and crowning them champions.
Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex plays in a polo match during the Royal Salute Polo Challenge, to benefit Sentebale in Wellington, Florida, on April 12, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
Meghan was delighted to present the trophy to Harry after his team’s win. However, during the photo shoot, an awkward moment occurred that had tongues wagging online. Meghan asked a woman to change positions from her husband’s side to hers when photos were being taken.
The woman, Dr Sophie Chandauka is the Chair of the Board at Sentebale. The Zimbabwean-born executive has served on the Sentebale Board from 2009 to 2015.
Sentebale Chair Sophie Chandauka during the Royal Salute Polo Challenge, to benefit Sentebale in Wellington, Florida, on April 12, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
So, online users pointed out the uncomfortable moment when Meghan asked Sophie to step away from Harry’s side to hers. Sophie ended up standing next to Meghan as the Duchess of Sussex positioned herself in the middle of the group and next to her husband.
During this interaction, Harry kept his hands around Meghan as she spoke to Sophie. She motioned Sophie to the other side, saying, “Do you want to come over here?” A user, shocked by Meghan’s attitude towards Sophie, asked, “Why is she humiliating a beautiful black woman?”
Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex presents the trophy to Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex after his team wins, in the Royal Salute Polo Challenge, to benefit Sentebale, in Wellington, Florida, on April 12, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
Another also questioned, “Why did Meghan Markle push the beautiful Black lady around?” A user pointed out that Meghan, “has such a superiority complex, it’s literally so smugly awful, and so so embarrassing 😳.” “Shameful,” noted an individual.
Meghan Markle, The Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex pose for pictures with the teams after he took part in the Royal Salute Polo Challenge, to benefit Sentebale, in Wellington, Florida, on April 12, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
One user compared Meghan and Harry to Princess Catherine and Prince William. “I find this tacky…William and Catherine are restrained in public. It’s classy. This is just crass,” the user wrote. “That was so awkward,” an individual shared.
Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex presents the trophy to Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex after his team wins, in the Royal Salute Polo Challenge, to benefit Sentebale, in Wellington, Florida, on April 12, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
A fan came to Meghan’s defense, revealing that she had no ill intentions, “No, Meghan suggested as the chair for her to be in the middle of the picture… and it worked out perfectly.”
Ignacio “Nacho” Figueras, Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, Sophie Chandauka, and Richard Miller during the Royal Salute Polo Challenge, to benefit Sentebale, in Wellington, Florida, on April 12, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
Aside from this drama, Meghan and Harry’s public display of affection for each other has online users swooning. When Meghan went to present the trophy to Prince Harry, the two sealed the Duke of Sussex’s win with a passionate kiss.
A fan gushed, “Love these two! They genuinely seem happy! Love her dress too!” Another fan expressed their admiration for Meghan and Harry, “She’s gorgeous. No wonder he fell in love with her.” However, a fan not captivated by the kiss jotted, “Looks like those film kisses 😚🤣.”
Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex presents the trophy to Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex after his team wins, in the Royal Salute Polo Challenge, to benefit Sentebale, in Wellington, Florida, on April 12, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
Meghan and Harry’s most recent outing was definitely eventful. However, its aim is for a serious issue as the funds raised will be used to cover the needs of children and young people living in Lesotho, who are affected by poverty, inequality, and HIV/AIDS.
Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho co-founded Sentebale in 2006 to help the southern African nation. Sentebale, derived from the Sesotho language of Lesotho, translates to “forget-me-not” and symbolizes a commitment to supporting and remembering vulnerable children in need.
Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex during the Royal Salute Polo Challenge, to benefit Sentebale, in Wellington, Florida on April 12, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
Harry and Meghan continue to advocate for social causes through their work even after stepping away from their royal duties as part of the Royal Family. The two have supported each other in their separate causes as seen in how Meghan was by her husband’s side during the recent annual Polo Cup.