Meghan distances herself from politician after suffering backlash for taking selfie with him at dinner

The Duchess of Sussex “politely” agreed to Wille Rydman’s request for a picture after a meal in Switzerland

Meghan Markle has moved to distance herself from a Finnish right-wing politician after a photograph of the pair together sparked controversy online.

Wille Rydman, Finland’s 40-year-old minister for social affairs and health, posted the image on Instagram with the caption “a dinner with Meghan” following a World Health Organisation event in Geneva on Sunday.

 

The selfie showed both smiling warmly at the camera after a dinner attended by ministers and WHO delegates.

However, the photograph quickly became a public relations problem for Meghan when social media users began highlighting Rydman’s troubled history in Finnish politics.

Meghan Markle and Wille Rydman

Meghan Markle has moved to distance herself from a Finnish right-wing politician after a photograph of the pair together sparked controversy online.

 | Wille Rydman

A spokesman for the Duchess of Sussex responded firmly to the emerging controversy, making clear that Meghan was entirely unaware of who Mr Rydman was before their encounter.

“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 spokesman stated.

The representative explained that checking the background of every individual who approaches for a photograph simply is not feasible.

According to the spokesman, Meghan had “politely” agreed to Mr Rydman’s request for a picture as she departed the venue following the meal.

Meghan Markle

A spokesman for the Duchess of Sussex responded firmly to the emerging controversy, making clear that Meghan was entirely unaware of who Mr Rydman was before their encounter.

 | GETTY

“As is often the case at public engagements, and where time permits, the Duchess politely obliges such requests,” the spokesman added.

The encounter took place at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva, where both were attending the WHO’s 79th World Health Assembly.

Meghan had earlier delivered a ten-minute address focused on protecting children from online harm, meeting with bereaved families whose children had died as a result of dangers on the internet.

Meghan Markle

Meghan had earlier delivered a ten-minute address focused on protecting children from online harm, meeting with bereaved families whose children had died as a result of dangers on the internet.

 | GETTY

The subsequent dinner, hosted by the World Health Organisation, brought together more than 25 ministers and delegates ahead of the assembly.

Mr Rydman serves as a member of the Finns Party, representing a Helsinki constituency in Finland’s parliament.

The Nordic nation has been governed by a centre-right coalition since 2023, formed between the National Coalition Party and the more right-wing Finns Party following the defeat of Sanna Marin’s Social Democrats.