Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were the keynote speakers at JP Morgan's Alternative Investment Summit in Miami, Florida last week. Speaking at the event was their first commercial gig since announcing they'd be stepping down as full time working members of the Royal Family and seeking financial independence from the crown. Anybody familiar with why the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to decided to give up their HRH titles in the first place will be unsurprised to learn that they're now facing backlash for attending the ritzy event.

The Sussexes are taking heat for attending an event hosted by JP Morgan, despite being outspoken environmental activists. According to the Rainforest Action Network's Banking on Climate Change 2019 report, JP Morgan is reported to have contributed $67 billion into companies behind fracking, arctic oil and gas exploration.

Meghan and Harry were reportedly paid close to 775,000 British pounds — more than $1 million — for the gig, as well, which led to a number of public relations and royal experts to criticize the Sussexes' decision making. British PR guru and author Mark Borkowski told The Sun that Meghan and Harry accepting the engagement is “not the best look" for the couple. “How they accept money, and from whom, is going to be a challenge going forward."

“They need to be careful,” royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams also told the outlet. “If you preach, you should practice what you preach. When it comes to the rich and famous there is an awful lot of hypocrisy over climate change.”

Meghan and Harry found themselves at the center of a similar controversy last summer. The pair faced backlash for flying on multiple private jets over the course of a few weeks even though flying private instead of commercial is much more damaging for the environment. While Harry addressed the private jet backlash at the time, he and Meghan, as well representatives for JP Morgan, declined The Sun's request for comment.

Photo: Getty

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