Meghan, Duchess of Sussex found herself at the center of another online backlash after her recent speech in Switzerland sparked unexpected comparisons to Angelina Jolie. Social media reactions escalated quickly after Meghan appeared at an event focused on child safety in digital spaces, with critics accusing her of trying too hard to recreate the kind of global humanitarian image long associated with Jolie.
The Duchess of Sussex traveled to Geneva to participate in an initiative connected to online safety and cyberbullying prevention, where she delivered a speech addressing the dangers children face on the internet. But instead of focusing entirely on the message itself, many online users became distracted by what they described as similarities to Angelina Jolie’s past appearances and speeches linked to her work with the United Nations.
Some critics went even further, openly mocking Meghan by calling her a “discount version” of Jolie. According to the backlash online, people felt the tone and structure of Meghan’s speech echoed the serious humanitarian style Jolie became known for during years of international advocacy work. However, commenters also pointed out that Meghan’s event attracted far less attention and lacked the same global impact.
Royal commentator Tom Sykes weighed in on the controversy and argued that the awkward public reaction may stem from a deeper contradiction surrounding Meghan’s public image. In his view, the discomfort people feel comes from seeing her distance herself from royal life while still appearing drawn toward the type of public humanitarian role traditionally associated with senior royals.
Sykes suggested that many viewers struggle to understand why Meghan stepped away from the British royal family only to later pursue speeches and causes that resemble the same kind of work she once rejected. He described the entire situation as feeling “unnatural,” saying it almost created the impression of watching events unfold inside a parallel universe.
This is not the first time Meghan’s Switzerland trip has sparked criticism. Earlier, some online users accused her of trying to mirror Catherine, Princess of Wales after noticing that Meghan’s international appearance happened shortly after Kate Middleton’s visit to Italy connected to a similar child-focused initiative. Whether intentional or not, the timing reignited endless comparisons between the two women online — and now, after the Angelina Jolie comments exploded across social media, Meghan once again finds herself facing criticism from every direction at once.
