How Meghan Markle Repairs ‘Tarnished’ Reputation Through South Africa Tour With Harry

Meghan Markle uses her current tour to repair her tarnished reputation.

Last week, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex kicked off their South Africa tour. Prior to their trip, Prince Harry and Markle faced intense backlash for taking four private flights in 11 days.

Also, many slammed Prince Harry and Markle for using the taxpayers’ money to fund the renovation of their home, Frogmore Cottage, but keeping their son away from the people. The public was furious because the royal couple is living like private individuals.

The former “Suits” star decided to redeem herself through their tour. According to The Post, Markle is using her and Prince Harry’s tour to shift opinion about them.

“It has been a carefully crafted campaign, with the Duchess of Sussex sitting on the floor with fellow moms, hugging impoverished kids, wearing ‘old’ clothes — even leaving her $140,000 engagement ring at home,” the report read.

Markle was photographed sans her engagement ring when she and Prince Harry visited Cape Town. According to an insider, the duchess ditched her flashy ring for a simpler version to be “low-key” during their tour.

Aside from leaving her luxurious engagement ring behind, Markle, who has been slammed for her outrageous and pricey outfits, followed her sister-in-law Kate Middleton’s fashion secret of recycling clothes. The Duchess of Sussex opted to wear the maternity dresses she donned during her Commonwealth tour with Prince Harry last year again.

Markle was reportedly advised to repair her image by her close pals. Prince Harry and Markle have not returned home from their trip yet. However, many were convinced that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have already successfully redeemed their reputation. Prior to their trip, royal biographer Penny Junor said that the Sussexes disappointed their fans and “things have gone really wrong for them.”

However, royal correspondent Charlotte Wace said that there have been signs suggesting that the royal couple has already turned things around after enduring a year-long storm of negative headlines. An insider added that Markle offered to do more engagements in South Africa while Prince Harry was away. She was advised to keep her engagements private, so she would not overshadow her husband and the duchess reportedly “uncharacteristically” accepted the advice without complaint.