Meghan Markle slammed for making Gloria Steinem tribute about herself
Meghan Markle slammed for making Gloria Steinem tribute about herself
Meghan Markle’s Instagram tribute to the late Gloria Steinem has ignited a firestorm, with critics accusing the Duchess of turning a historic feminist’s death into a personal branding exercise just as the couple prepares for a high‑profile return to the United Kingdom. The backlash matters because it pits a royal figure seeking relevance against a beloved icon whose legacy still shapes women’s movements worldwide.
Steinem’s death and the flood of tributes
Gloria Steinem, the co‑founder of Ms. Magazine and a stalwart of second‑wave feminism, died peacefully at her New York home on September 2, 2026, surrounded by friends and admirers, according to the statement posted on her Instagram page. The announcement, echoed by Rolling Stone, Yahoo News, The Denver Post, New York Post, and Scripps News alike, highlighted her relentless advocacy for abortion rights, workplace equality, domestic‑violence prevention and the Equal Rights Amendment.
Media additions
Oprah Winfrey, who once described Steinem as a catalyst for “equal pay, equal respect, ownership of her own body,” posted a tribute noting, “What a life. What a legacy. What a difference she made.” Melinda French Gates praised “decades of energy, brilliance, and advocacy she devoted to women’s rights.” Katie Couric, Jill Biden and other public figures also honored the pioneer, each echoing the sentiment that Steinem’s influence spanned generations.
Meghan’s seven‑paragraph post
Markle’s Instagram caption framed Steinem as “my friend and mentor,” and she recounted a friendship bracelet, a Thanksgiving dinner in Montecito and Steinem’s affection for her children, Archie and Lilibet. The Duchess also recalled “hard times” she endured, praised “extraordinary advice” from Steinem, and highlighted a joint interview series encouraging young voters. She reminded readers of the Ms. Foundation Award she received in May 2023, noting that she and Steinem “attended award ceremonies together.”
Accompanying the text were four photos: Steinem in Markle’s living room, with the Duchess’s children, at a garden, and beside her dogs. The images, according to Mercury News, focused on settings that emphasized Markle’s lifestyle rather than Steinem’s activism.
Critics call the tribute self‑servicing
Royal commentator Tom Sykes, host of a Daily Beast YouTube analysis, argued that the post “makes Gloria the backdrop while the star of the story is, over and over, Meghan.” He said the tribute “exposes her to the allegation that she is just so self‑interested and so self‑serving.” Sykes’ followers echoed the sentiment, labeling the move “a textbook example of how a narcissist makes other people’s significance all about herself.”
Other social‑media users, cited by Mercury News, wrote, “Is there nothing this woman won’t do to stay in the news and seem relevant?” and, “Of course, there goes MM, trying to steal even a dead woman’s spotlight.” The criticism intensified after People magazine’s flattering interview with Markle, prompting harsh comments on the outlet’s X account.
Why the timing is crucial
Meghan and Prince Harry have just announced a “temporary UK return” to see King Charles, a move covered in Newsarchy’s own report. Their North‑American venture, once billed as a media empire, has stumbled, with a high‑profile mishap surrounding a November 2023 Ms. Foundation Award turning into a “near‑catastrophic” paparazzi car chase, according to the same source that highlighted the recent tribute.
In this context, the Steinem post arrives at a moment when the Duchess is seeking to re‑establish relevance both in the United Kingdom and globally. Critics argue that seizing a moment of collective mourning to highlight personal ties is a misstep that could undermine her activist credibility.
How other figures handled the tribute
Unlike Markle, most of Steinem’s peers kept their posts focused on her achievements. Oprah Winfrey quoted Steinem’s own impact without mentioning personal anecdotes. Melinda French Gates, Katie Couric and Jill Biden simply highlighted Steinem’s decades of work, avoiding any reference to personal connections.
Even the New York Post’s obituary, while celebrating Steinem’s style and wit, avoided linking her legacy to contemporary personalities. The Vogue obituary emphasized her own words, such as, “Change is like a house, you can’t build it from the top down, only from the bottom up,” and refrained from any modern celebrity cross‑referencing.
Reader‑facing aid: Timeline of key moments
- March 25, 1934 – Gloria Steinem is born in Toledo, Ohio.
- 1963 – Publishes “A Bunny’s Tale,” exposing Playboy Club conditions.
- 1971 – Co‑founds Ms. Magazine.
- 1972 – Helps launch the National Women’s Political Caucus.
- 2013 – Receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
- May 2023 – Meghan Markle receives a Ms. Foundation Award alongside Steinem.
- September 2, 2026 – Steinem passes away at age 92.
- September 3, 2026 – Markle posts a seven‑paragraph Instagram tribute; critics react.
- September 3, 2026 – Royal experts note the Duchess’s timing amid the announced UK return.
What to watch next
Analysts expect the royal household’s communications team to respond to the backlash, potentially issuing a clarification or a more subdued statement from the Duke and Duchess. Media observers will also be watching how the World section of Newsarchy covers the couple’s upcoming UK visit, especially any interplay with ongoing debates about the Crown’s role in modern activism.
Meanwhile, Steinem’s memoir “An Unexpected Life,” slated for release on September 22, 2026, will likely dominate book‑store shelves and may revive discussions about her impact on contemporary feminism. Whether Markle’s tribute will be remembered as a mis‑calculated branding move or a sincere gesture of friendship will hinge on how the public perceives the Duchess’s broader narrative in the weeks ahead.
