Meghan Markle’s ‘fake British accent’ sparks social media backlash

Meghan Markle tried to impersonate a British accent in the latest episode of her Archetypes podcast as she welcomed actress Jameela Jamil with a cheerful ‘ello!’. The two women discussed activism in the ninth podcast episode meant to deconstruct labels that hold women back from achieving their full potential. But her attempt at showing off her ability to put on a British accent was met with public backlash.The British actress greeted Meghan, saying: “You alright babe? Hello”.Meghan replied “ello”, with what seemed to be a mockney accent, before speaking with her usual Californian accent. Her attempt at mimicking the British accent drew the ire of Twitter users who mocked the Duchess.One podcast listener tweeted, as quoted by the Daily Mail: “Is Meghan trying to do a British accent again?”While Twitter user @royalnewsss said: “Now making fun of the British accent? Please Meghan, just shut up.”  Meghan Markle came under fire for taking on a British accent in the latest episode of her podcast (Image: GETTY) Meghan Markle tried to mimic a British accent as she welcome British actress Jameela Jamil (Image: GETTY)@SwissNeutral said: “Pathetic really.”@Gnipgnop added: “They are both as ‘artificial’ as they come!!!”However, Ms Jamil appeared unbothered by the gesture as the pair dove straight right into female activism in the new episode titled “The Audacity of the Activist with Jameela Jamil and Shohreh Aghdasgloo.”The 36-year-old actress praised Meghan for being a “sobering voice” and offering “unwavering support” following online criticism. READ MORE: Meghan lashes out at receiving ‘no credit, all the blame’Meghan Markle’s got a case of the Madonna! She’s now speaking with a British accent! It happens! Have you heard Lindsay Lohan talk lately? ������ pic.twitter.com/sexMnNlglc- Perez (@ThePerezHilton) July 6, 2018 Meghan Markle was praised for being a ‘sobering voice’ and offering ‘unwavering support’ (Image: GETTY) Meghan Markle was spotted taking on a British accent during her time in the Royal Family (Image: GETTY)The British actress told the Duchess of Sussex that the former senior royal takes an “unfathomable amount of s***” “I can’t believe it!” she said, adding that she “fought back for years” on Meghan’s behalf and that she was “so outraged by the twisting of this very normal, very kind, very civilised woman”.During her time working for the Firm, Meghan Markle tried to tweak her American accent to make it sound British. Some speech accents reported a change, but not everyone was convinced: “There does seem to be something in the idea that Meghan Markle’s speech has changed a bit, at least in some settings,” phonetics and pronunciation specialist Dr Geoff Lindsey told the BBC. DON’T MISS:Harry and Meghan ‘mistook popularity for position’ in key moment [REPORT]      Meghan Markle brings the drama with a ‘weapon’ [REPORT]      Meghan claims ‘influential’ woman told her not to give up ‘activism’ [REPORT]       Meghan Markle has recovered her American accent since she and Harry settled back to the US (Image: GETTY)”There are occasional vowels which sound a bit more British,”  Dr Geoff Lindsey while conceding it was tricky to make absolute statements.Dr Lindsey, an honorary linguistics lecturer at University College London, added that her intonation is more British than American when asking the yes/no question: “Did you make that for us?” in a clip from Birkenhead in January 2019.Marisa Brook, assistant professor in linguistics at the University of Toronto, said the Duchess has “developed a style that sounds very English-aristocratic for interacting with the public”, citing the Duchess saying “I do appreciate that” in the same clip from Birkenhead (below) in January 2019.Since Meghan settled back to California with Prince Harry, the Duchess has recovered her Californian accent.READ NEXT:Royal Family’s ‘replacement’ engagement rings – including Diana’sPrince William is ‘holding huge grudge’ against Harry and Meghan’No golden coach!’ Meghan may have been wrong about ‘grand’ marriagePrincess Charlene turns heads in Meghan-inspired leather trousersTravelodge share weird guest requests – Meghan Markle dress