Meghan Markle has denied knowing who a controversial politician was before taking a selfie with him, it has been revealed. The Duchess of Sussex was in Geneva last week where she delivered an emotional speech at the inauguration of the Lost Screen Memorial – a memorial remembering children whose lives had been lost as a result of social media.
During the solo trip, Meghan also attended a dinner hosted by the World Health Organization in Geneva, where more than 25 ministers and delegates were present ahead. It was after this dinner when controversial right-wing politician Wille Rydman, Finland’s Minister of Social Affairs and Health, took a selfie with the duchess and uploaded it online.
This has caused backlash for Meghan, as the politician has previously faced allegations of racism and inappropriate behaviour.
A spokesperson for Meghan has issued a statement denying that Meghan knew who the politican was when the photo was taken. As repprted by The Daily Mail, her representative said: “To be absolutely clear, the Duchess does not know Mr. Rydman, had no prior awareness of him attending the event, and was unfamiliar with the concerning reports relating to him.
“The Duchess attended a dinner hosted by the World Health Organization in Geneva, where more than 25 ministers and delegates were present ahead of the World Health Assembly. As she was leaving the venue, a number of attendees approached her requesting photographs. As is often the case at public engagements, and where time permits, the Duchess politely obliges such requests.”
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