Meghan Markle’s Geneva trip sparks comparison to Kate Middleton’s Italy visit
Meghan Markle’s Swiss Getaway Draws Attention as Critics Accuse Her of ‘Copying Catherine Again’
Prior to her blind date with Prince Harry in July 2016, Meghan Markle had nothing to do with the British Royal Family.
However, the former actress seems to be making repeated headlines for her alleged attempt to copy her sister-in-law, Kate Middleton.
More recently, after the Princess of Wales' successful two-day visit to Italy, the Duchess of Sussex embarked on a strikingly similar solo weekend trip to Switzerland.
Markle once again got accused of being “jealous” of Middleton, as the timing of her sudden trip raised eyebrows.
Markle Champions Kid’s Safety in Geneva After Middleton’s Italy Trip
Meghan Markle traveled to Geneva for her weekend trip
Meghan Markle traveled to Switzerland alone over the weekend after her team announced her trip on short notice on May 15.
According to Radar Online, Markle traveled to Geneva without Prince Harry, to raise awareness about children’s online safety.
The visit was planned one day after Kate Middleton returned to England following her successful two-day trip to Italy focused on children’s education.
The timing of Markle’s Switzerland trip thus drew attention for closely following Middleton’s widely praised Italy tour.
During her visit, the Princess of Wales toured schools in Reggio Emilia, where children are taught through creativity, nature, art, and hands-on learning.
Middleton also met educators and interacted with local children during the trip.
Meanwhile, the Duchess of Sussex traveled to Geneva, where Archewell Philanthropies co-sponsored her trip and partnered with the World Health Organization for a special event honoring children affected by harmful online activity.
During the event, Markle delivered a speech on the dangers of online bullying at the unveiling of the Lost Screen Memorial art installation in Geneva.
Her team had planned for her to give a speech paying “tribute to the children remembered in the installation and underscore the urgent need for stronger global protections for children online.”
According to Hello!, Markle said during the speech, “Each name belonged to a child who was loved beyond measure. A child whose laughter once filled a kitchen. Whose shoes once waited by a front door. Whose future once felt limitless.”
She added, “Children today are being shaped by systems designed to capture attention at any cost: relentless algorithms, exploitative engagement, and endless exposure to harmful content that they are not seeking out.”
Critics Slammed Markle's Insatiable “Urge to Compete” With Middleton
Meanwhile, despite her efforts to protect children from online bullies and other atrocities, Meghan Markle herself became a victim of online trolling.
Right after her solo trip to Geneva made headlines, people started comparing it to Kate Middleton's trip to Italy.
This led netizens to call out Markle for allegedly copying Middleton's efforts, on Reddit.
Taking to the social media platform, several users accused the former Suits actress of trying to compete with the Princess of Wales.
One user wrote, “Meghan has to have her own European solo trip because Catherine had one. Yawn and cringe.”
While another added, “Copying Catherine AGAIN. It gets so predictable.”
Some even wrote, “She is spiraling so much” while others added, “She is so completely unhinged and absolutely cannot resist the urge to compete with the Princess of Wales.”
Netizens even went as far as to write, “In other words, she had a hissy fit because Catherine had a highly successful, well-received visit to Italy. Now she has a sudden urge to prove she can do solo trips, too. This is the best she could come up with? Another PR stunt funded by Archewell?”
In addition to being mocked for allegedly copying Middleton, the 44-year-old also got criticized for her speech.
As Markle spoke about children’s safety on social media, netizens on X criticized her for using her children for PR purposes.
One user wrote, “Woman constantly posting pics of kids to merch her tat gives speech about the dangers of posting children online.”
Another added, “That’s priceless, coming from the biggest bully through social media there is! She is certainly not qualified to speak on this topic.”
Some users wrote, “Says the one who uses her children on social media for her image repair.”
While some added, "Meghan Markle exploits her own children online to sell her “products” for financial gain. What a hypocrite."