When you think of someone who’s built and maintained a “successful, long-lasting business empire,” Meghan Markle probably doesn’t come to mind. Yet, Prince Harry’s rather disliked wife has been selected as one of the speakers for Fortune’s Most Powerful Women in Washington, DC this year. Labeled as the Founder of As Ever, Meghan will have a panel alongside other influential and successful women, such as the CEOs of Best Buy and Logitech, Kamala Harris, and the Mayor of DC.
According to her description, Meghan Markle is a “high-profile, highly scrutinized founder” who’s been involved in Netflix series and podcasts, all of which are apparently enough reason to have her be one of Fortune’s speakers. Unfortunately, many do not believe she is worthy of the title as one of “Fortune’s Most Powerful Women,” let alone having the proper knowledge to speak about running a ‘business empire,’ compared to the other women at the event. Some even presume she bribed her way to become a speaker, as one puts it: “I cringe to think how much Meghan paid to get on this panel since these women are the real deal.”
Others were quick to criticize Fortune as nothing more than a “PR magazine” that is performative and nonsensical in how it chooses its featured candidates. One accuses Meghan Markle’s marriage to British royalty of being the only real accomplishment she actually has. Being well-known only because of someone you married makes one hardly worthy of being referred to as “powerful,” comments a user. “Who is Meghan Markle though, really? Does even she know?” they sarcastically conclude.
Meghan Markle Slammed for Discrediting Other ‘Most Powerful’ Women
With Love, Meghan has extremely low ratings, and there’s no shortage of people who will talk about what a wash the As Ever brand has been, even before its name change. On top of all that, Meghan Markle has been known to disrespect and even despise her connection with the Royal Family, using it more as a source of pity or free PR than anything.
All that being said, many online commenters feel that Meghan’s presence at the event would downplay the success of the speakers and their accomplishments. “Every woman on that stage demeans themselves and their cause. By sharing the stage with Markle they make a joke of themselves. Whatever they have done, they have lost their real deal status,” remarks a Reddit user. “She is discrediting them,” agrees another.
Her connection to the British monarchy isn’t really admirable either, as many feel she is the primary reason behind Prince Harry’s decision to cut ties with his family and move to the US. Fans speculate that she also compels Harry to commit to different PR stunts or speeches so they both can look better for the public. Of course, this doesn’t mean Prince Harry is guiltless as well, considering he is said to have “betrayed” King Charles regarding how everything went down during and after his private meeting last month. Whatever the case, Meghan Markle is sure to garner attention from what she’ll say during her speech in DC, good or bad.
