Meghan Markle has set the record straight after a selfie of her with a controversial politician during her trip to Switzerland last weekend sparked backlash. The Duchess of Sussex travelled to Geneva last Sunday to speak at a memorial about children’s online safety.
This week, Wille Rydman, a right-wing politician currently serving as Finland’s minister of Social Affairs and Health, shared a selfie with the Duchess, captioned “A dinner with Meghan.” The duo can be seen beaming in a picture taken inside the UN headquarters in Geneva; however, its release sparked public backlash. Users on social media uncovered Mr Rydman’s controversial past, which includes allegations of racism and sexual harassment.
Meghan Markle’s selfie with Wille Rydman (Image: X/@willerydman)
Following the backlash, a spokesperson for the Duchess issued a statement and claimed she had “politely” agreed to the politician’s request after the meal.
They told the Daily Mail: “The Duchess attended a dinner hosted by the World Health Organisation in Geneva, where more than 25 ministers and delegates were present ahead of the World Health Assembly.
“As she was leaving the venue, a number of attendees approached her requesting photographs. As is often the case at public engagements, and where time permits, the Duchess politely obliges such requests.”
The spokesperson added: “Understandably, vetting the background of every person who asks for a selfie is not possible.”
“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.”
Mr Rydman is a controversial figure in Finland.
In 2023, he was involved in a racism scandal after various of his texts to his former girlfriend were published in a newspaper.
He could be seen complaining about Muslim women wearing headscarves, describing people from the Middle East as “monkeys” and himself as “Nazi”.
He did not apologise but said he is “committed to equality and non-discrimination”.
In 2022, Mr Rydman was accused of grooming and sexually harassing young women and girls.
He vehemently denied the claims.
Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation started a preliminary investigation, but no charges were brought against him.
In February 2023, he published his own book titled The Secret That Did Not Exist.
