Meghan Markle has not publicly stepped up in support of her husband Prince Harry in his very public charity row. The Duke of Sussex, 40, stepped down earlier this year as patron of the charity Sentebale, which he co-founded in 2006 in honour of his mother the late Princess Diana.
The prince stepped down as a result of a reported dispute with chairwoman Sophie Chandauka, with the dispute also reportedly seeing other people involved in the charity, which helps young people with HIV and AIDS in Lesotho and Botswana, step back. However, soon after announcing his decision, the duke was hit with damaging claims as he, along with other trustees of the charity, were accused by Chandauka of bullying, misogyny and racism.
While a report by Britain’s charity regulator found no evidence of bullying at the charity, all parties were criticised for the very public dispute, which could put the charity’s reputation in danger.
Although Meghan Markle is normally supportive of her husband publicly, it has been noted that she has stayed very quiet about the charity row and the accusations that were hurled at her husband.
She has not made any public statement about the matter and has instead focused on her own business ventures.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond has said that the duchess, 44, has taken a “back seat” with the issue and “left it” to Prince Harry.
Bond told GB News: “This is a very sensitive issue all round. Sentebale was Harry’s charity from the start, along with his co-founder, Prince Seeiso.”
She continued: “The allegations of misogyny and misogynoir – both discounted by the charity commission – make this an even more sensitive issue for Meghan to become involved with.
“So I think she has wisely taken a back seat on this and left it to her husband.”
Meghan has famously been known for speaking out about sexism, and criticising misogyny, especially before marrying Prince Harry.