Meghan Markle suffers awkward snub at SXSW as she's 'denied a hug' on-stage

08 March 2024 , 23:38

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Critics were convinced Meghan was 'denied a hug' on-stage

Meghan Markle seemingly suffered a rather awkward snub while appearing at the South by Southwest Festival's opening keynote speech event today.

The Duchess of Sussex delivered an empowering speech at the festival on Friday, which came after she and her husband Prince Harry jetted from California to Texas. Prince Harry even watched on and supported his wife from the front row as Meghan opened up about the bullying she has been subject to in the past.

But ahead of the debate taking place and the panel all partaking in the empowering discussion, Meghan seemingly went in for a hug with the moderator before it was "denied".

READ MORE: Meghan Markle slams 'painful' online bullying as she says 'it's not catty, it's cruel'

Meghan was seemingly snubbed when she was 'denied' a hug, according to critics (SXSW/YOUTUBE)

The Duchess spoke at SXSW today (SXSW/YOUTUBE)

Meghan took part in the panel which was titled Breaking Barriers, Shaping Narratives: How Women Lead On and Off the Screen, with her joined by journalist Katie Couric, actress Brooke Shields and diversity equity and inclusion consultant at Peoplism, Nancy Wang Yuen.

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Errin Haines, host of The Amendment podcast, moderated the keynote session, with her seemingly "blocking" Meghan when the Duchess went in for a hug, according to critics of the Duchess on social media.

Ironically, after Meghan gave a speech about online bullying, critics of the mother-of-two have pointed out how the Duchess got "denied" a hug from moderator Errin. Sharing a clip from when Meghan walked onto the stage, one X user penned: "Meghan Markle goes to hug the woman and GETS DENIED."

Fans and critics have reacted to Meghan's appearance at the festival's opening keynote speech (SXSW/YOUTUBE)

Meghan opened up about the online abuse she has endured (FilmMagic)

Responding and reacting to the clip, one person said it was "very telling", while another said it was a "smooth block". A third then said: "She's really pretty good at recovering: hugs rebuffed, grabbing for a microphone."

A fourth added: "She still hasn't realised that just because she is a 'hugger', many others are not. And many only hug people they know and like." While someone else said she needs to "get over the hug thing".

But many X users stuck up for the Duchess amid her alleged snub, with one defending Meghan when they penned: "You know it’s international women’s day today. Maybe take a break from being a being bully to a woman you don’t even know."

Another said: "No she doesn't [get denied a hug], you're really clutching at straws now. As you can see Meghan just puts a hand on her shoulder!" While a third said: "How positively she had handled the situation."

Mollie Quirk