In the Duchess of Sussex’s latest activism project, Meghan Markle is raising awareness about the depiction of motherhood on TV – but has been blasted for “virtue signalling” by a Royal Family expert.
The Archewell Foundation has supported a new study that reveals how fictionalised portrayals of mums on TV do not reflect the lived experiences of mothers in America.
The study is presented by Moms First and the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, supported by the Archewell Foundation – the struggling charity set up by Harry and Meghan in 2020.
In a statement, the Duchess of Sussex said: “My past experience as an actress, and now today as a producer and mother, have amplified my belief in the critical importance of supporting women and moms both behind the lens and in front of it.”
Meghan added: “This report about the portrayal of mothers in entertainment highlights the gaps we need to fill to achieve true representation in the content we create and consume, and I’m honoured to support this work through the Archewell Foundation.”
In a tongue and cheek fashion, ‘To-Di-For’ podcast host, Kinsey Schofield said on Talk TV: “Good on Meghan Markle Theresa for financing a survey that tells us Carol Brady [American actress] is too white and too skinny.”
She added that the project was “virtue signalling”, claiming that Americans were more concerned about the cost of living crisis, and also said: “The objective here is to enhance her feminism brand, while enjoying the association with actress Geena Davis.”
Kinsey also stated Geena’s comment about Meghan was a “cookie cutter statement”.
As reported in Town & Country, the actress whose institute partnered spoke about Meghan: “We love having her support and the support of Archewell. We can’t do it without financial support like that, and it’s obviously a subject that’s very near and dear to her heart.”
The study comes as the Duchess of Sussex has reportedly hired a UK-based PR executive to help her with her branding in the UK.
Commentator, Pandora Forsyth on GB News found the timing puzzling, saying, “Why now? Why the business change?”
Meanwhile, GB News host, Anne Diamond, said the PR person might want to help the Sussexes spend time in the UK because it might be a step towards winning the public over.
Pandora added: “We know, as well, that Harry and Meghan are struggling with popularity in the UK and that’s just a fact, the polls do say that.”
Meghan’s most recent appearance was at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Texas to talk about her efforts to “challenge stereotypes”.
