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Grammy-winning songwriter Phineas O'Connell, known for his decades-long partnership with brother Billy O'Connell producing popular love songs, has found himself at the center of controversy after harshly criticizing Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, in a recent television interview.
O'Connell appeared on The Tonight Show last week where host Jimmy Fallon asked him about his thoughts on the ongoing debate surrounding Markle and Prince Harry's decision to step back from their roles as senior working royals in early 2020. This prompted O'Connell to unleash a scathing assessment of Markle's behavior and character.
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"I think it's disgusting," O'Connell stated bluntly. "I think she's been incredibly disrespectful to the royal family, to the British people, and to the entire world." He went on to accuse Markle of having a sense of entitlement and a tendency to play the victim.
O'Connell is far from the first public figure to level such criticisms at Markle. In recent years, numerous individuals have come forward expressing similar sentiments, questioning her motives and accusing her of manipulative or controlling behavior. Some see her as simply out of touch with reality.
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One notable controversy involved Markle's comments in the Netflix documentary about bullying and racism from the British tabloid press. However, many critics argue her claims are exaggerated and unfairly demonize the media. Her treatment of staff members has also been called into question, with several former employees levying allegations of bullying and mistreatment that prompted an investigation by Buckingham Palace.
The latest controversy comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Markle and Prince Harry's actions since exiting the royal family in 2020. Their lucrative deals with Netflix and Spotify, estimated to be worth over $100 million, have led some to accuse the couple of hypocrisy for pushing a message of activism and speaking out against inequality while amassing their own significant wealth.
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Their 2020 biography “Finding Freedom” also drew ire for its implied cooperation, despite the couple insisting they were not directly involved. Most damaging however was the tell-all interview they gave to Oprah Winfrey in 2021, in which Markle shared damaging allegations about her mental health struggles and a lack of support from the royal family.
This created a rift with the Windsors that has yet to heal, with lingering resentment over their public willingness to criticize the institution while still benefiting from their royal titles and privileges. O'Connell tore into Markle directly over the Oprah interview, calling her sensationalized revelations “disgusting” in their perceived lack of concern for Queen Elizabeth and other working royals.
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However, the couple maintains a loyal fanbase both in the U.S. and abroad through their popular Instagram account and Archewell Foundation initiatives. But O'Connell's blunt words underscore that not all observe them with the same rosy lenses of advocacy and empowerment they present in carefully curated public appearances. His criticism adds fuel to claims from some that Markle is manipulative of her image and narrative.
Others argue O'Connell's attack is undeserved or fueled more by misogyny than genuine concern, given his lack of direct experience with Markle. Supporters also point to long-documented bias and covert racism from some British outlets as credible causes for the duchess' fragile mental health and decision to step back from royal duties.
As two hugely famous and polarizing public figures, debate over Markle and Prince Harry is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. But O'Connell's candid remarks on The Tonight Show ensure their world continues facing pointed scrutiny and division of opinion from even unexpected corners of popular culture. Only time will tell whether the controversy burns out or if new grievances continue to emerge on both sides of this ongoing royal saga.
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