Meghan Markle’s decision to withdraw her new lifestyle series instead California wildfires he was met with hostility online but received praise from royal watchers.
Two days before “Love, Meghan” was set to premiere on Netflix, the Duchess of Sussex has delayed the release of her latest venture, citing the current Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire in Southern California.
While keyboard warriors were quick to question Markle’s motives, experts told Fox News Digital that the delay could help improve Markle’s public image.
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Meghan Markle’s public image could benefit from delaying the release of her Netflix series, experts say. (Samir Husein)
“It would be wrong to launch her new show while the wildfires are still raging through LA,” royal photographer Helena Chard exclusively told Fox News Digital. “I must say that it is the first time, he thinks about the release date of his series. He usually publishes his work at the most inopportune moment, to the horror and anger of the public.”
“The public has, understandably, constantly berated her for being deaf. She hopes that the public will see her in a new light as a caring, helpful and kind person, thereby changing their current perception of her.”
MEGHAN MARKLE POSTPONED EDITION OF LIFESTYLE SERIES DUE TO CALIFORNIA FIRES
Markle announced her new Netflix show on her recently launched Instagram page. (Netflix)
Branding expert Doug Eldridge told Fox News Digital, “Given the scope and scale of the devastation in California, this is the time to focus on the people and places that really matter in life.”
“The public has, understandably, constantly scolded her for being deaf. She hopes that the public will see her in a new light, as a caring, helpful and kind person, thereby changing their current perception of her.”
“In the midst of tragedy, Markle has a real chance to achieve the one thing that has always eluded her: connection. She doesn’t need to play a character or rehearse a script; she just needs to be real.”
The Duchess of Sussex revealed on Sunday that her new series, which was scheduled to premiere on January 15 on the streaming giant, has been pushed back to March 4.
“At the request of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and with the full support of Netflix, the release of the series — a heartfelt tribute to the beauty of Southern California — has been pushed back from its previously announced January premiere date to March 4, due to the ongoing devastation caused by the wildfires in Los Angeles,” a Netflix representative confirmed to Fox News Digital.
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Markle is pictured in the kitchen filming her new Netflix series, “With Love, Meghan.” (Netflix)
Mindy Kaling appears on Markle’s new show, which will premiere in March. (Netflix)
“In the midst of tragedy, Markle has a real chance to achieve the one thing that has always eluded her: connection. She doesn’t need to play a character or rehearse a script; she just needs to be real.”
“I am grateful to my partners at Netflix for supporting me in delaying the launch while we focus on the needs of those affected by the wildfires in my home state of California,” Markle said.
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Internet trolls weren’t too happy with Markle though, so they took to social media to express their displeasure.
“Another statement that only applies to Meghan in MY home state – why delay this rubbish show what a difference a few weeks will make?” wrote one user. “Is another LA actor postponing their Netflix appearances? Does she have enough influence to postpone the show? Why didn’t they postpone the Oprah interview while Prince Philip was in the hospital dying? I don’t believe this, she’s up to something.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are volunteering during the wildfires in Southern California. (Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)
Another X user wrote: “Yeah because LA will still be devastated in 3 months! It’ll take them years to recover. What a joke.”
One X user wondered: “After the LA fires, I’ve developed a sick feeling towards these #GriefGrifters .. and by extension, I’m starting to feel the same towards Netflix. In history, Netflix will be part of MM and Prince Harry stories, can you guess how it goes? Well done Netflix.”
Meanwhile, an industry insider is speaking out People magazine that it was an “easy decision” for Markle. “I don’t think she could imagine starting a show focused on cheering and hosting when so many people in her home state no longer have homes to host people in,” the source said. “I think it’s sad that critics are saying she’s only doing this to avoid the fires that have overshadowed her show. We’re all human and we’re dealing with a disaster.”
Royal expert Richard Flitzwilliams believes Netflix “had no choice” but to postpone the series.
“Harry and Meghan have been active in providing relief and helping evacuees,” Flitzwilliams said. “This is a situation where their personal skill, which is significant, in the words of the Pasadena mayor, ‘really lifted the spirits of the first responders.’ at some more convenient future time.”
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Royal expert Hilary Fordwich echoed Flitzwilliams’ comments, telling Fox News Digital: “It would have been completely inappropriate and tone-deaf for us to have gone ahead with the original launch date. There really was no other option. As their appearance at the scene of the disaster, however, is quite controversial publicly opinion a clear indication of how their popularity has declined here in the US”
“It would have been completely inappropriate and tone-deaf to go with the original launch date.”
On Friday, Markle and husband prince harry supported the victims and relief efforts during a meeting with Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were on the ground volunteering during the fire. (Fox 11 Los Angeles)
“In the last few days, forest fires in Southern California they raged through neighborhoods and destroyed families, homes, schools, medical care centers and more – affecting tens of thousands from all walks of life. A state of emergency has been declared,” the couple wrote on their website on Thursday.
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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex listed organizations on their page that are actively helping bushfire victims, including the Animal Welfare Foundation, which provides housing and care for evacuated animals; Compton Cowboys, which provides emergency transportation services for horses, and Airbnb and 211LA, which have joined forces to offer free temporary housing to displaced people, among others.
