Meghan Markle Breaks This Rule In Fiji, Accused Of ‘Insult’ By Critics

Meghan Markle reportedly broke an important rule in Fiji and was accused of insulting the traditions by royal fans.

On Tuesday, the Duchess of Sussex and her husband, Prince Harry, received a traditional welcome from the Fijians. She arrived in the island country in her gorgeous long-sleeved, mid-length white dress by Australian designer Zimmerman.

She accentuated her attire with a pair of earrings that was gifted to her by Queen Elizabeth II. The former actress also wore a white hat while in Fiji. But according to Christine Younan, a journalist for Daily Star, Markle wasn’t supposed to wear a hat in Fiji.

On the island country’s official website, it has been stated, “Avoid wearing a hat in a village as it is considered as an insult to the village chief.”

While Prince Harry and Markle’s welcome ceremony took place in Albert Park, the same cultural rules should have been applied. After all, the chief of Viseisei – the oldest village in Fiji which is recognized as the center of cultural civilization – would have attended the ceremony.

After Markle’s photo was posted on Twitter, some royal fans immediately took aim at the Duchess of Sussex for her blatant mistake.

“But… Meghan is wearing a hat. Or is there a nothing-on-the-head rule for everyone else?” one person tweeted.

“Why is HRH wearing a hat please?” another person asked.

In related news, Markle’s trip to Fiji has been cut short due to an ongoing security risk. Markle was at the Suva Municipal Market for a walkabout but was whisked away after only six minutes in the area. Markle was supposed to meet Fijians in the area for 20 minutes.

The decision to not allow Markle to stay in the area reportedly came from Kensington Palace. Prince Harry didn’t visit the market with Markle because he was unveiling a plaque at the forest site home to species such as the Fiji tree frog, according to TIME.