As Wimbledon kicks off this year, some royal watchers are revisiting a past moment that stirred headlines — Meghan Markle’s controversial appearance at the tournament back in 2019.
At the time, the Duchess of Sussex was attending in a private capacity to support her close friend Serena Williams. But what was meant to be a quiet visit quickly attracted attention — and criticism — from members of the public, press, and even fellow celebrities.
Her security team reportedly asked nearby spectators not to take photographs of her, citing a desire to keep the visit personal. That request, however, didn’t go down well with everyone. British journalist and former tennis player Sally Jones recalled being told not to snap a photo — even though she hadn’t realised Meghan was nearby and had only been trying to photograph Serena on the court.
In an interview with MailOnline that year, Jones criticised the situation as “control-freakery,” adding that Meghan “seemed more concerned about who was watching her than enjoying the tennis.”
Some accused the couple of wanting celebrity-style privacy while still occupying royal roles
The incident prompted widespread discussion about the line between privacy and public life — especially for royals. Meghan and Prince Harry were accused by critics of wanting the privileges of royal status without the public scrutiny that comes with it.
Piers Morgan called the request for privacy “hypocritical” on Good Morning Britain, questioning whether the Sussexes truly wanted to be public figures. “If you want privacy, don’t attend high-profile events like Wimbledon,” he argued.
TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp also weighed in, suggesting on social media that being photographed comes with the territory for those in the spotlight — whether in entertainment or royalty. “You’re lucky to have the privileges,” she wrote.
Even Hollywood chimed in. Actress Tatum O’Neal, speaking as the former wife of tennis icon John McEnroe, found the whole situation “tacky” and unfavourable when compared with the late Princess Diana’s warm, inclusive public presence.
Some sources called the visit ‘a nightmare’ while others defended it
An unnamed Wimbledon official reportedly described the planning around Meghan’s visit as a “nightmare.” There were also rumours she had broken club dress code rules by wearing jeans in a members-only area — a detail that raised eyebrows within royal and tennis circles.
However, tournament organisers were quick to push back against the negative narrative. A spokesperson for the All England Club praised Meghan’s presence, calling her visit “a privilege” and confirming that she had been personally welcomed by the club chairman.
A week later, Meghan returned to Wimbledon — this time with Kate Middleton and Pippa Middleton. The joint appearance was widely viewed as a PR effort to dispel rumours of tension between the sisters-in-law. Still, some royal commentators suggested the cordial display only masked deeper issues behind the scenes.
With the tournament now underway again in 2025, Meghan’s 2019 outing remains a reminder of how royal appearances — even at leisure events — are never just private moments.