The 2026 Sundance Film Festival, usually a haven for indie cinema and understated celebrity appearances, became the stage for one of Meghan Markle’s most talked-about—and widely criticized—public moments in recent years. Attending the premiere of the Archewell-produced documentary Cookie Queens on January 25 in Park City, Utah, the Duchess of Sussex once again insisted on being introduced as “Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex,” despite having stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and no longer using the HRH style in an official capacity. The move, according to multiple attendees and festival insiders, left many in the room stunned and whispering about “desperation” and “embarrassment.”

Eyewitness accounts describe a carefully choreographed entrance. Meghan, dressed in a tailored cream coat and wide-brimmed hat, arrived arm-in-arm with Prince Harry. When the festival emcee took the stage to introduce the couple ahead of a brief Q&A panel, Meghan reportedly leaned toward the microphone and quietly but firmly corrected the host: “It’s Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex, thank you.” The correction was audible enough for the front rows to hear, prompting an awkward pause before the emcee complied. She then took the stage uninvited—despite the panel being designated for the film’s director and lead producer—and delivered an extended statement about “the power of women’s stories” and “using platform for good,” overshadowing the intended speakers.

Festival attendees, speaking anonymously to entertainment outlets, described the moment as “cringe-inducing” and “out of place.” One producer who was seated nearby told Variety: “It felt like she needed to remind everyone who she was, even though the night wasn’t about her. The director looked visibly uncomfortable. It was embarrassing for everyone involved.” Another insider close to the Sundance organization said the request for the HRH introduction had been made in advance by Meghan’s team, but the festival had politely declined, opting for “Meghan Markle and Prince Harry” in all official materials.

The incident quickly went viral on social media, with clips of the awkward introduction and Meghan’s unscheduled remarks racking up millions of views. Critics seized on the moment as further evidence of what they call “delusions of grandeur” and “fame-chasing behavior.” One widely shared X post read: “She’s not a working royal anymore, but she still demands the title like it’s oxygen. Embarrassing.” Supporters countered that Meghan was simply “reclaiming her identity” and that the backlash was rooted in misogyny and racism.

The couple’s appearance at Sundance was already under scrutiny after reports surfaced that the Cookie Queens screening failed to sell out, despite heavy promotion tied to the Sussexes’ involvement. Empty seats were visible in several rows, fueling online mockery: “Even their own premiere can’t fill the room.” Festival organizers have not commented on attendance figures, but sources say ticket demand was lower than expected for a documentary backed by a high-profile production company.

Meghan and Harry have remained silent on the backlash. A spokesperson for Archewell declined to address the HRH introduction specifically, stating only that “the couple was honored to support the filmmakers and the important message of Cookie Queens.” Behind the scenes, however, insiders say Meghan was “furious” at the negative coverage and felt the moment was deliberately twisted by the media to paint her as “desperate.”

The Sundance episode is the latest in a string of public moments that have fueled debate about the Sussexes’ post-royal identity. From insisting on royal protocol at high-profile events to launching media ventures that lean heavily on their former titles, Meghan and Harry continue to walk a tightrope between private citizenship and lingering royal associations. For many observers, the Utah moment crossed a line—turning what should have been a supportive appearance into an uncomfortable spotlight on Meghan herself.

Whether this proves to be a minor misstep or another chapter in the ongoing narrative of “embarrassing” overreach remains to be seen. What is clear is that the Duchess of Sussex—or Meghan Markle, depending on who you ask—still commands attention, even when the room would rather focus elsewhere.