Meghan Markle clutched Prince Harry’s arm and grabbed his face for a public kiss at an event at the Invictus Games, a oment some lauded as tender and affectionate

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s public display of affection during the Invictus Games has been branded “miscalculated and nauseating”.

The Duchess of Sussex, 43, was snapped clutching the royal’s arm and grabbing his face at one event during the Games in and near Vancouver, Canada. Yet, hours later Meghan left Harry to it and departed the country in a private jet for their Californian home.

The loved-up display was praised by fans as being affectionate and romantic – days before Valentine’s Day – but it has also led to some to wonder why Meghan’s trip was seemingly cut short. These may have included journalist Amanda Platell who, writing before the Duchess of Sussex left, launched scathing criticism at the PDA.

The former press secretary to William Hague, the then leader of the British Conservative Party, wrote: “We had a fawning Meghan making doe eyes while looking up at him, clutching his arm and grabbing his face for a very public kiss. No photo-op went unmissed.

“Megs was determined that she and their love affair would take centre-stage, whatever we thought about the heroic men and woman this event was actually celebrating. In all my many years as a journalist and former political spin doctor, I cannot recall a more miscalculated and nauseating public display of affection.”

Harry is now carrying out the duties solo ( 
Image:
Humphrey Nemar)
In her take, published by the Daily Mail, the reporter also claims the PDA was not welcomed by the wounded soldiers and their families at the Games. Ms Platell added: “Another source emphasised that veterans rejected the couple’s stance, stating: ‘Unlike them, veterans and their families do not see themselves as victims.’

“The volunteer added that they were ‘overshadowing the veterans who should be at the centre of it all. This event should be about the veterans, not a royal spectacle…there is a growing frustration over how Harry and Meghan have dominated the narrative.’.. How appalling it is that Harry seems to have to hijacked the ceremony in this way.”

Yet Meghan had always been planned she would leave the event early, it is understood. The Games have come after a tough time for the Sussexes, who were branded ‘disaster tourists’ in the wake of visiting victims of California wildfires. They were also the subject of a scathing Vanity Fair article about what it is really like to work for them.

And according to PR expert Edward Coram James, the CEO of Go Up, Meghan should have rethought going to the Invictus Games altogether. He told the Mirror : “Meghan should leave the Invictus Games to Harry. It’s his project, and he’s more than capable of drumming up support and publicity for this incredible cause. Their joint brand has become tainted over the years — not through any fault of their own, but due to woeful PR.”