Meghan Markle was compared to Princess Catherine (Image: Getty)
Meghan Markle faced online criticism following an awkward moment with an infant during her Australian tour, with royal watchers drawing comparisons to Princess Catherine’s recent baby encounter in Italy.
The Duchess of Sussex, 44, completed a four-day visit to Australia alongside the Duke of Sussex, 41, in April, during which they undertook engagements focused on initiatives they champion.
Among the activities was participation in the Scar Tree Walk in Melbourne. The Scar Tree Walk offers an experience bridging traditional and modern Aboriginal cultures and the heritage of the Kulin Nation. The comparison comes as Prince Harry ‘demands’ royals be ‘polite’ to Meghan Markle on future UK visit.
During the visit, the Sussex pair met with numerous supporters and posed for photographs, including one mother who tried to hand her infant to the Duchess.
Footage circulating online showed the baby appearing reluctant and holding tight to its mother, who was determined to capture a photograph with the Montecito-based couple, who gladly obliged.
The Sussexes during the Scar Tree Walk (Image: Getty)
In contrast, the Princess of Wales generated widespread attention this week following her heartwarming exchange with a baby in the crowd at Reggio Emilia, who seemed captivated by her warmth.
However, royal enthusiasts contrasted the two incidents and appeared to criticize the Duchess on social media, reports the Express.
One commenter posted on X, “For Catherine, it’s about the connection. For Meghan, it’s about herself.” A second one agreed, “Very well said.”
Princess Catherine interacts with a baby (Image: Getty)
A third one opined, “She is the most unnatural person with children, I think I’ve ever seen.”
A fourth commenter observed, “Princess Kate knows how to connect with the baby-smile, stroke the leg, play with the feet. Markle distances herself from the baby and is stiff and clearly uncomfortable.”
However, one user came to her defense, writing, “Why the mum forced her child to be photographed? You can obviously see the child was stressed with this photo-op.”
While Meghan’s next formal engagement is unknown, she and Prince Harry are rumored to visit the UK in July for the WellChild Awards and the Invictus Games countdown.
The visit would mark their first time returning to the UK as a couple since moving to California in 2020 and giving up their titles as working members of the Royal Family.
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