Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Spark Sundance Chaos as Empty Seat Claims Ignite Fierce Backlash
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle found themselves at the center of a fresh media storm after their high profile appearance at the Sundance Film Festival triggered heated debate online. What was meant to be a celebratory moment for their latest Archewell Productions project quickly turned into a viral controversy that overshadowed the film itself.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended the world premiere of Cookie Queens, a documentary they executive produced through Archewell Productions. The film debuted during a morning screening at the Eccles Theatre in Utah and followed four determined Girl Scouts navigating the intense pressures of cookie season and competition.
While the documentary aimed to highlight ambition teamwork and resilience, attention swiftly shifted away from the screen and toward the audience. Reports began circulating online suggesting that a significant number of seats were left empty when the 9 a.m. showing began.
Some outlets claimed that as many as 150 chairs were unoccupied at the start of the screening. Images shared across social media appeared to show visible gaps in the balcony seating which fueled speculation about audience turnout for the Sussexes latest red carpet moment.
The debate intensified when reports noted that tickets for the premiere were priced as high as seven thousand dollars. Critics questioned whether the cost may have discouraged attendance while others framed the issue as a broader commentary on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s public appeal.
According to additional sources the film began around ten minutes later than scheduled. By that time some claimed the number of empty seats had dropped to approximately sixty which only added more confusion and competing narratives to the unfolding drama.
Supporters of the Sussexes were quick to push back against what they described as a manufactured controversy. Fans shared screenshots from ticketing platforms and insisted that all Sundance screenings for Cookie Queens were fully booked well ahead of time.
Many royal watchers loyal to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle accused critics of deliberately trying to undermine the couple’s latest creative venture. On social media enthusiastic supporters framed the empty seat claims as yet another attempt to discredit the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
One attendee dismissed the uproar entirely calling it absurd. They stated that the theatre was packed especially considering the early morning time slot and emphasized that documentaries rarely draw such strong crowds at that hour.
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Another supporter went even further insisting online that all screenings were sold out without exception. These messages spread rapidly with fans rallying to defend Meghan Markle and Prince Harry against what they viewed as unfair scrutiny.
During the on stage discussion Meghan Markle spoke warmly about her own experiences as a Girl Scout while growing up in California. She reflected on lessons of teamwork confidence and community connecting her personal story to the themes explored in Cookie Queens.
Prince Harry kept a noticeably lower profile throughout the event. The Duke of Sussex greeted filmmakers and guests before quietly taking his seat allowing the spotlight to remain on the documentary and its young stars rather than on himself.
Despite the positive moments critics quickly seized on footage from the event. Some social media posts accused Meghan Markle of dominating the spotlight and overshadowing Prince Harry during the premiere and red carpet interactions.
A handful of commentators went further alleging that Meghan Markle’s interactions with the children featured in the documentary were calculated for the cameras. These claims sparked another wave of debate about authenticity and public perception.
The contrasting reactions once again highlighted how deeply polarizing Prince Harry and Meghan Markle remain. Even a documentary about Girl Scouts was enough to reignite familiar arguments surrounding the Sussexes every public appearance.
As the dust settles the Sundance appearance underscores a recurring pattern for the couple. Any project linked to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle seems destined to generate headlines debate and division long before audiences can focus solely on the work itself.
Whether Cookie Queens ultimately finds success beyond the festival circuit remains to be seen. For now the documentary has already achieved one thing with certainty it has once again placed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the center of a global conversation.
