The Saint Meghan Markle Phenomenon: A Royal Saga of Virtue, Virtuosity, and Viral Memes
In the grand tradition of modern sainthood (that is, sainthood as bestowed by Twitter and Reddit rather than the Vatican), there arises a figure whose story is ripe for canonization—Meghan Markle. Or, should I say, Saint Meghan Markle, the latest and most controversial name on the internet’s ever-growing list of self-made icons. The hashtag #SaintMeghanMarkle has been making waves on Reddit, Twitter, and other corners of the digital world, but what does this phenomenon really say about the intersection of celebrity, social media, and the media circus that surrounds royalty?
If you’ve ever spent any time scrolling through social media, you’ve probably seen the image. A radiant Meghan Markle, haloed in the soft glow of a perfectly lit portrait, eyes gazing upwards as if in quiet contemplation of her latest charitable endeavor, her impeccable fashion choices, or perhaps the global media that can’t seem to get enough of her. It’s all too easy to dismiss this as a byproduct of the endless cycles of royal gossip. But look closer, and you’ll see something much more fascinating—a subtle yet potent creation of a modern-day icon.
Meghan Markle, now a duchess in exile (or “Meghan Markle: Duchess of Sus-sex” as the memes call her) has become more than just the wife of Prince Harry; she’s a symbol. Whether she’s delivering impassioned speeches on women’s rights, starring in Oprah interviews, or simply living her best California life, Meghan has inspired, infuriated, and now, in an almost cheeky nod to the celebrity-industrial complex, been declared a saint.
The “Saint” of Self-Advocacy
So, what is it about Meghan Markle that has led to the rise of her saintly status? First off, let’s talk about self-advocacy. In a world where women, especially women in the public eye, are routinely expected to play the role of both saint and sinner, it’s remarkable to see a figure like Meghan who, for all intents and purposes, has demanded—no, insisted—that the narrative about her life be told on her terms.
Meghan Markle’s rejection of the traditional royal mold wasn’t just a rebellious move; it was a revolutionary one. The woman who was once an American actress from humble beginnings, a biracial woman trying to find her place in the notoriously exclusive halls of Buckingham Palace, transformed into a figure who would not be boxed in, no matter the cost. She became a beacon for those who, like her, were tired of being told what to do, what to wear, and how to be.
The internet’s meme-ification of “Saint Meghan Markle” is, in part, a recognition of that courage. Meghan didn’t just play the role of a royal, she rewrote the script. And while many in the royal family may have preferred a more muted, subdued version of her, the masses (or at least the loudest voices in the crowd) have crowned her as something more: a saint in the church of self-empowerment.
In a way, she represents a modern-day saint—not one of piety, but one of defiance. She reminds us that sainthood in the 21st century isn’t about meekness or submission, but about self-determination, about the ability to stand tall in the face of scrutiny and say, “This is who I am, take it or leave it.”
The Meme-ification of Meghan
It’s not just about the speeches or the charitable work, though. No, Meghan’s sainthood has been meme-ified. And let’s be clear here: If you can become a meme, you have truly entered the cultural lexicon in a way that transcends traditional forms of fame.
It all started innocently enough. Someone, somewhere, thought, “Why not turn Meghan Markle into a saint?” And thus, #SaintMeghanMarkle was born. On Reddit, memes and threads discussing her as the embodiment of divine grace started popping up like mushrooms after a summer rain. On Twitter, she was revered for her grace, her ability to handle criticism with poise (or at least, a well-crafted Instagram post), and her continued advocacy for causes she believes in.
But then, as the internet is wont to do, things took a turn toward the absurd. The Saint Meghan Markle phenomenon became a running joke—a commentary on how, even in the world of memes, we can’t help but elevate those who challenge the status quo. As memes often do, it took on a life of its own.
There’s the “Saint Meghan Markle” meme in which Meghan’s face is photoshopped onto religious iconography, placed alongside halos and candles, with hashtags such as #Blessed or #SaintMeghan. On Twitter, users jokingly proclaim that she is “canonized” or that she “miraculously” saved the day through her Netflix deals or her advocacy for gender equality.
Of course, there’s also a more sardonic version of the meme, which casts Meghan as a martyr, implying that her suffering under the harsh gaze of the press and royal family is, in itself, a noble act of self-sacrifice.
It’s this combination of reverence and irreverence that makes the meme so potent. Saint Meghan Markle is both a serious figure and a satirical one, embodying the paradoxes of celebrity in a world where nothing is sacred and everything can be turned into a joke. But then again, isn’t that the nature of sainthood in the 21st century?
The Complexities of Saintliness in the Modern Age
But, let’s be clear: The internet’s obsession with Saint Meghan Markle isn’t just about her. It’s about us, the people who consume this content, laugh at it, and pass it along. Meghan’s saintly status represents a longing for something that is simultaneously ironic and sincere: the desire to elevate a celebrity while also critiquing the very notion of celebrity. We admire her as a symbol of defiance, but we also enjoy poking fun at the absurdity of the whole thing.
It’s easy to dismiss the #SaintMeghanMarkle phenomenon as a fleeting joke, a meme that will eventually fade away, like so many internet fads before it. But perhaps it’s more meaningful than that. Perhaps it’s a commentary on how we perceive our icons in a world that has become obsessed with self-presentation, media manipulation, and viral moments.
The fact is, Meghan Markle’s saintliness, whether you see it as ironic or sincere, is a reflection of the way we consume celebrity in the age of the internet. The lines between admiration and mockery blur. Our icons are no longer untouchable gods or purely aspirational figures; they are also human, fallible, and ripe for parody. And somehow, that makes them more relatable—and perhaps even more deserving of our reverence, in its own twisted way.
In the end, Saint Meghan Markle might just be the saint we need right now—not because she’s perfect or flawless, but because she is unafraid to be exactly who she is. In a world where people are constantly told who to be, where to fit in, and what to wear, Meghan Markle’s refusal to be contained by the traditional confines of royalty or celebrity feels almost… saintly. Whether we like it or not, she’s set the stage for a new kind of icon—a kind of meme-saint who reigns not over a kingdom, but over the chaotic world of social media.
So, as we look ahead to whatever Meghan does next—whether it’s her next Netflix deal, her next interview, or perhaps her next “saintly” gesture—let’s remember one thing: the meme is mightier than the crown.
