Barely 10 days after King Charles III was crowned in London, his daughter-in-law is receiving an award in New York City.
Meghan Markle will be honored at Tuesday’s 2023 Women of Vision Awards, which celebrates “feminist changemakers” and “powerhouse grassroots leaders.” The Duchess of Sussex will receive her award from Gloria Steinem, who co-founded the Ms. Foundation, which runs the awards.
As the mother of two is being celebrated, several royal experts have taken issue with the award’s timing. On April 12, Buckingham Palace confirmed that the former American actress wouldn’t attend the king’s coronation in London. Instead, the 41-year-old remained at her California home with her two young children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Her husband Prince Harry, who has publicly sparred with his family, arrived to the ceremony alone. The 38-year-old bolted back to California with his Dior suit still on.
Christopher Andersen, author of “The King,” told Fox News Digital the timing couldn’t have been more wrong, considering that the duchess was noticeably absent from “the single most important moment in Charles’ life and a singular moment in world history.”
“What a slap in the face to the man who walked her down the aisle when her own father didn’t show up at her wedding, and to the country she adopted, for better or worse, as her own,” said Andersen.
“You know, charity begins at home,” he shared. “Much of the time Harry looks like a fish out of water, and you don’t have to be an expert to see he’s still hurting. If she is truly a sensitive and caring person, she would make it her top priority to help mend her husband’s relationship with his brother Prince William and the king. Marrying into the royal family, accepting a title, and then bailing to take advantage of your new global superstar status seems, well, tacky.”
In a profile announcing Markle as a winner in this year’s ceremony, the former “Suits” star was described as a “feminist, champion of human rights and gender equity and global role model.”
“Her lifelong advocacy for women and girls remains a constant thread she weaves through both humanitarian and business ventures,” the announcement revealed.
While former first lady Hilary Clinton was a past honoree, Andersen doesn’t believe the award is any inkling Markle will pursue a career in politics. For years, rumors persisted that the duchess had her eyes set on Washington, where she could continue her advocacy work concerning women and young girls.
“As I’ve said before, Meghan is aiming to be the next Oprah – a multimedia titan with real political clout,” said Andersen. “She won’t run for office because I think she is far too thin-skinned. But she does want to have an impact on the next election. Meghan is very outspoken about issues and candidates, so expect to see her on the campaign trail.”
But one thing Markle’s latest achievement is doing is sending a message to the British royal family, Andersen insisted.
“She’s making it clear that she has a life of her own, doing the things she thinks are important,” he noted. “She also seems to be saying that getting a trophy from Gloria Steinem is more important to her than seeing her husband’s dad crowned king of England. It’s an in-your-face gesture aimed at the royal family she just snubbed.”
Meghan Markle’s post-coronation award is ‘slap in the face’ to King Charles. Meghan Markle’s post-coronation award is ‘slap in the face’ to King Charles