Whether or not he did accept money, it seems ill-advised of Mr. Markle to agree to a stunt that was so "stupid and hammy" -- as he himself has reportedly described the pictures. Given the apparent lack of protection from Kensington Palace, Mr. Markle's decision to do a deal with a paparazzi agency, is, therefore, forgivable in the circumstances. But the tone of the criticism aimed at Mr. Markle -- at least in Britain -- has had particularly vicious undertone. The key difference between the Middletons and the Duchess of York on the one hand, and Mr. Markle on the other -- apart from the latter's relative lack of media savviness -- is that the bride-to-be's father is American. It is not that Mr. Markle is working class, but the public shaming of him over the paparazzi story reeks of classism and British snobbery.

Source: CNN May 15, 2018 15:56 UTC