As the Duke and Duchess of Sussex travel around Texas engaging in a project, they stopped in at a local eatery. While some were charmed by their presence at the establishment, others had only negative things to say about Meghan Markle’s outfit.
In a heartwarming blend of royal presence and local charm, Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, and her husband, Prince Harry, were recently seen engaging with the community in Texas. Their visit also saw them visit La Barbecue, a renowned barbecue restaurant, where the couple, not shying away from the spotlight, warmly mingled with both staff and patrons.
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The restaurant captured this memorable occasion with a series of photographs shared on social media, showcasing the Sussexes in various candid moments with the employees — from posing with a staff member to engaging in conversations inside the eatery and even capturing moments outside the establishment.
The caption accompanying these images expressed gratitude towards the royal couple: “Thank you so much Meghan and Harry for visiting us today!! It was so nice to meet you both 🔥 This page is a place for love and support, if you have something negative to say, take it somewhere else. ❤️”
Despite the overwhelmingly positive atmosphere, reactions to Meghan’s attire — jeans paired with a relaxed-fit denim button-up top from Aritzia, complemented by an ivory blazer by Heidi Merrick made of raw silk and hemp — were mixed among fans online. Critics commented on her choice of outfit, with remarks such as, “Why is she dressed in a power suit from the 80s god she always looks so sloppy” and “She never irons her clothes, is there no iron where Megan lives.“
This is not the first time Markle has been criticized for her attire. She was also critiqued for her SXSW appearance this month. While some fans ignored La Barbecue asking that no negativity be shared on their page, others shared love and positivity. Many jumped to Markle’s defense, highlighting the positive impact of the visit with comments like, “Ahh love Prince Harry & Meghan,” “Omg,” and “Lovely.“
Prince Harry at the “Keynote: Breaking Barriers, Shaping Narratives: How Women Lead On and Off the Screen,” during the SXSW 2024 Conference and Festivals on March 8, 2024, in Austin, Texas | Source: Getty Images
Prince Harry at the “Keynote: Breaking Barriers, Shaping Narratives: How Women Lead On and Off the Screen,” during the SXSW 2024 Conference and Festivals on March 8, 2024, in Austin, Texas | Source: Getty Images
This outing is part of the Sussexes’ broader visit to Texas for The Archewell Foundation’s San Antonio Welcome Project, which aids in the resettlement of Afghan women by developing their sewing skills and fostering community. The Duke and Duchess actively participated in these sessions, witnessing the joy and creativity unleashed among the women. Their visit was crowned with the Duchess joining in to prepare bolani, a traditional Afghan flatbread, emphasizing the communal and nurturing spirit of their mission.
Furthermore, the royal couple’s journey included a profoundly meaningful stop in Uvalde, Texas, to meet with the family of Irma Garcia, a victim of the tragic Robb Elementary School shooting. Irma Garcia’s dedication as a teacher for 23 years and her untimely death, followed by her husband Joe Garcia’s death from a heart attack, left a community in mourning and a nation in shock. The Sussexes’ visit, was described as “beautiful” and “compassionate” by Irma’s nephew, John Martinez.
Martinez shared that the family were excited at the fact that Meghan Markle would be visiting, saying: “It was kind of by surprise, she [Meghan] had called my mom one random day and dropped the news on us not too long ago that she was coming to visit the kids and of course we got so excited.”
The young man shared that when the couple visited the family, they talked with Irma and Joe’s children about their plans for the future. Before they left, they surprised Martinez’s mother with a cake to celebrate her birthday and sang “Happy Birthday” to her. This was the second time the family had met with Markle and Prince Harry.
Days after the shooting, Markle had visited the makeshift memorial at the county courthouse, where she placed flowers. A representative for Markle shared: “She took this trip in a personal capacity as a mother, to offer her condolences and support in person to a community experiencing unimaginable grief.”
The couple’s efforts in Uvalde did not stop with personal visits; through The Archewell Foundation, they have joined forces with the City of Uvalde and KABOOM! to construct a playground at DeLeon Park. This initiative aims to offer a sanctuary for joy and healing, embodying the resilience and hope of a community striving to recover from an unspeakable tragedy. Their actions, both in personal gestures and community projects, reflect a profound commitment to providing support and fostering recovery in the aftermath of violence.
Gracing a keynote panel alongside media titans Katie Couric and Brooke Shields on Friday, Meghan dove into deep discussions on women’s representation in media, an issue close to her heart.
However, it was the type of attire the Duchess chose for the event quickly became a focal point of online discourse. She opted for a sublime ensemble embodying breezy business casual with a silky pinstripe skirt set. The internet’s reaction to Meghan’s fashion statement was sharply divided.
Critics were quick to voice their opinions, with some disparaging remarks comparing her sophisticated attire to bedsheets. “It looks like wrinkled bedsheets,” one comment read. Others skeptically asked, “Dreamy ensemble = Pyjamas?” and “Dreamy ensemble? Oh, do you mean it looks as though she slept in it?”
The critical commentary didn’t stop there. Some unfavorably compared her to Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, with one commenter blatantly stating, “She’s a hot mess. Her hair, too casual wrinkled outfit are no match for Catherine, Princess of Wales who is always dressed impeccably with class [sic].”
Others wrote, “The woman, yet again, managed to look like a total mess,” “Did she wake up and decide it was too much effort to put clothes on, so decided on her bed sheets???” and“Who dresses her, doesn’t she have friends?”
Contrasting the wave of criticism, Meghan also received a torrent of support from fans and admirers. Compliments flowed in, praising her choice of dressing and overall demeanor with remarks like, “I so much love her, her dressing and gesture,” and a simple yet powerful, “So pretty.”
Meghan’s attire reveals the craftsmanship and luxury behind the ensemble from Giuliva Heritage. Her “Husband Shirt in Striped Silk” is a testament to tailoring excellence, featuring long sleeves, a tailored fit, and adorned with elegant mother-of-pearl buttons.
Paired with it, the “Lena Skirt in Striped Silk” cascades gracefully to full length, crafted from luminous silk and secured with a side zipper. Both pieces, meticulously hand-made in Italy from 100% silk sourced sustainably, reflect hours of dedicated craftsmanship and techniques.
The shirt and skirt, retailing for about $973 and $1,050 respectively, are not just garments but a showcase of Giuliva Heritage’s commitment to quality and sustainability. Despite her attire’s evident luxury and craftsmanship, the public’s opinion remained polarized.
The discussion surrounding her outfit did not reflect the substantive issues she addressed at the SXSW event, titled “Breaking Barriers, Shaping Narratives: How Women Lead On and Off the Screen.” The event tackled various pressing issues, including the pervasive toxicity of social media.
SXSW proudly invited Meghan to be a speaker, calling her a champion for feminist causes, human rights, and gender equity. During the discussion, Meghan shared her ordeals with social media, recounting the abuse she faced, particularly during her pregnancies and as a new mother.
“The bulk of the bullying and abuse that I was experiencing in social media and online was when I was pregnant with Archie and with Lily and with a newborn with each of them,” Meghan shared, highlighting the cruelty instead of the catty nature of the attacks.
“You know us as moms, it’s such a tender and sacred time. You can either succumb to it or nearly succumb to how painful that is,” she added.
She emphasized the necessity for a safer online environment, especially for women and children, and pointed out the tragic irony of women being the ones to perpetrate hate towards other women. “We have forgotten about our humanity, and that has got to change,” she said. Her heartfelt message underscored a broader call to action for humanity to embrace kindness and empathy.
The panel also boasted other distinguished speakers, including Emmy Award-winning journalist Katie Couric; acclaimed actress, model, and author Brooke Shields; and Nancy Wang Yuen, a sociologist and diversity, equity, and inclusion consultant.
Within this vibrant atmosphere, Prince Harry, seated among the audience, supported his wife. Being in the spotlight, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are often the subject of criticism and backlash. Previously, they went on a Valentine’s date that sparked online hate.
Meghan donned a striking ensemble of red, celebrating Valentine’s Day with Harry in Whistler, British Columbia. The royal couple, momentarily stepping away from their Invictus Games commitments, were seen exiting an upscale Italian eatery, Il Caminetto, following an intimate dinner.
Meghan looked elegant in a red coat, complemented by black wide-leg pants and a matching red clutch, while Harry exuded a casual charm in a navy sweater paired with dark denim jeans.
The venue for their romantic dinner stands as one of Whistler’s premier dining establishments, known for its exquisite Italian cuisine. Dishes range from $21 to $55, while bottles of wine range from $5,758 to $10,334. People from the online community shared their sentiments on the dinner online.
“Secret?” one Facebook user wrote. “Cameras and summoned Paps everywhere.” Another person concluded through a tweet that the couple’s dinner was “paid for by Invictus, donated funds for wounded veterans,” adding that their action was “grossly inappropriate.”
This dinner outing comes amid their three-day visit to promote the 2025 Invictus Games, set to be hosted in this picturesque ski resort. The Games, which has always been dear to Harry, will introduce winter sports to its roster, including snowboarding, alpine skiing, and wheelchair curling, among others.
Harry’s dedication to the Invictus Games and its athletes remains unwavering. Mike Bourgeois, a former participant, highlighted the royal’s genuine interest in the competitors’ journeys, from their training and coaching to their well-being.
His focus is on understanding the athletes. It’s about recognizing those embarking on a journey of recovery. That’s what drives him,” Bourgeois said. “He sees you and hears you. That’s what it was like for me. And I know that’s what it was like for a lot of my teammates.”
Bourgeois also described the Prince as “super genuine. “This is where the Prince gets recharged. He’s with his people now; he’s with the soldiers and the veterans, and that’s shared experiences,” he added.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrived in Vancouver, Canada, days ago aboard a fuel-inefficient private jet. Their choice of transportation has since been criticized given their stance as environmental