Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's latest volunteering effort at a preschool in Los Angeles reportedly angered the parents. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were called out for not following the state's COVID-19 policy.
The Sussex pair wore face masks when they planted Forget-Me-Not flowers and worked alongside the preschool kids at the Assistance League Preschool Learning Center on Monday. Prince Harry and Meghan got down and dirty during the gardening activity and also read a story to the children. They spoke to the kids about the importance of nature and of eating healthy foods like vegetables.
But a barrage of criticisms followed after the preschool posted photos of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on social media. People commented that Prince Harry and Meghan were doing a PR stunt without regard for the policy on keeping safe and healthy amid the threats of the virus.
One mother complained on Twitter that she was not allowed to hold her daughter's hand as she took her to school to start her first day in kindergarten. Another mother said that California strictly imposes a one-parent policy at preschools but that Prince Harry and Meghan were both with the children and apparently turned up for the "surprise visit."
Others remarked that Prince Harry didn't wear his face mask properly. Some of the parents also expressed dismay that their children were being unnecessarily exposed to more people who were with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who used their kids as "props."
The royal pair wanted to honor Princess Diana on the 23rd anniversary of her death by planting her favorite flowers, Forget-Me-Nots, with the preschool children. The couple also chose the preschool because they had previously visited this institution at the start of the pandemic lockdown.
According to People, this was one of the first places Meghan showed Prince Harry when they arrived in Los Angeles. The Assistance League Preschool Learning Center helps low-income families. The Duchess of Sussex apparently wanted to show her husband what potential philanthropic efforts they can undertake in her hometown.
Meanwhile, Meghan also received criticism for allegedly copying Kate Middleton's idea of gardening with children. In July, the Duchess of Cambridge spent a day at a children's hospice near Norfolk to build a sensory garden and dedicate a sunflower garden to one of patients.
Royal fans said that Kate planting with children seemed less of a publicity stunt compared with Meghan. However, defenders of the Duchess of Sussex said that it should be commendable if she's copying Kate. Imitation is the best form of flattery after all.
