What was meant to be a heartfelt moment at the Invictus Games has turned into a fresh storm of controversy for Meghan Markle. The Duchess of Sussex is facing sharp criticism after footage emerged appearing to show her adjusting and moving a Team Canada competitor’s wheelchair without asking first — sparking a heated debate about boundaries, etiquette, and optics at a high-profile royal-adjacent event.
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The incident took place during this year’s Invictus Games in Düsseldorf, where Meghan joined Prince Harry to support wounded veterans and service members. In a widely shared clip, Meghan is seen approaching a seated Team Canada athlete mid-conversation and placing her hands on the back of the wheelchair, gently shifting it before speaking with the competitor. While some viewers saw the gesture as harmless and well-intentioned, others were quick to point out that touching or moving someone’s mobility device without consent is considered a serious breach of disability etiquette.
Within hours, social media lit up with divided opinions. Critics accused Meghan of “overstepping” and “making the moment about herself,” while supporters argued she was simply trying to engage warmly with the athlete. Hashtags like #InvictusGames, #MeghanMarkle, and #DisabilityRights began trending, with activists reminding the public that wheelchairs are often viewed as extensions of a person’s personal space.
One disability advocate, without naming Meghan directly, posted: “If you wouldn’t grab someone’s leg without asking, don’t touch their wheelchair. It’s basic respect.” Others defended the Duchess, insisting the move seemed friendly and in the spirit of the Games, which are founded on inclusion and support.
Adding to the drama, the athlete in question has not publicly commented on the clip, leaving the door open to speculation. Palace insiders have remained silent, and Team Canada has declined to address the matter officially. Still, the optics have fueled a new wave of Meghan-related headlines — something the Sussexes can hardly afford amid ongoing public image challenges.
Observers note that while this may seem like a minor incident, moments like these tend to snowball in the high-stakes world of royal and celebrity PR. Whether this fades quickly or becomes another chapter in Meghan’s complicated relationship with the press may depend on how — or if — she chooses to address it publicly.