Piers Morgan criticised for telling Meghan Markle to ‘go back to America’ for privacy

'I'm sick of the constant bashing'

Piers Morgan has been criticised for joking that the Duchess of Sussex should “go back to America” to obtain the privacy she desires.

The broadcaster made the remark on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday with regards to reports that Meghan Markle’s security guard had asked someone not to photograph her while she was at Wimbledon because the royal was attending “in a private capacity”.

Media consultant Sally Jones claims she was sat in the same row of the Royal Box as the Duchess last week when the request was made. Writing in The Daily Telegraph, Jones explained she had been photographing Serena Williams, who was playing on the court at the time.

Morgan, who has been critical of Meghan in the past, pointed out that she and Prince Harry are “not private people” and argued that by attending a public event such as Wimbledon, the couple open themselves up to the public.

“It’s not a private place,” Morgan added. “If you want to go to a private place, don’t go to the Royal Box at Wimbledon”.

The 54-year-old presenter continued: “Honestly, it’s a complete joke. You’ve got to work out what you want to be – do you want to be public or private?

“If you go to Wimbledon in your free tickets in the Royal Box, the best seats in the house for nothing, and you take your two bezzies... you’re public people.

“If you want to be private, go back to America and live privately.”

While some viewers agreed with Morgan’s stance, many accused him of being “unhealthily obsessed” with Meghan and accused him of unfairly criticising her.

“For God sake give it a rest!” wrote one person on Twitter. “I’m sick of the constant bashing! Have you maybe considered this was Harry’s choice?

“Given the family history with intrusion I am hardly surprised they want to limit their exposure.”

Another person agreed: “Prince Harry witnessed the UK media’s abusive behaviour and intrusion of privacy towards his mother and he is making sure his family will not face that same fate and is protecting Meghan and their son. Piers needs to back off with these verbally attacks towards Meghan it’s bias”

One Twitter user described Morgan’s criticism as “misogynistic” while another said he was being “spiteful”.

Morgan’s comments come days after Prince Harry and Meghan were criticised by members of the public for choosing to keep the christening of their son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, a private affair.

The couple released just two photographs from the event and did not divulge who they’d chosen as the child’s godparents.

You can read more about Archie’s christening here.