Meghan Markle has faced ridicule following her invitation to supporters to "call me Meg" throughout her Australian tour.

Detractors described the gesture as a manufactured effort to seem approachable during a visit already characterised by some as a "faux royal trip." The Duchess of Sussex, 44, issued the three-word appeal as she and her husband, Prince Harry, 41, commenced a sequence of engagements throughout Melbourne, Canberra, and Sydney last week.

They have carried out charitable and community visits, including a visit to the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne, while Meghan undertook a solo engagement at McAuley Community Services for Women, a refuge assisting homeless women and those impacted by family violence.

However, the request at these engagements for personnel and supporters to address the Duchess as "Meg" has attracted criticism. The backlash follows thousands demanding that Harry and Meghan cease conducting "pseudo-royal tours".

One source familiar with public reaction said: "Encouraging people to basically 'Call my Meg' is being seen by critics as a carefully curated attempt to project approachability, but it is clashing with a long-established perception of her as a multi-millionaire figure with exacting, and well-known diva standards.

For some, it comes across less as genuine warmth and more as a calculated rebrand that does not entirely ring true."

Speaking to RadarOnline.com, the insider added: "This kind of informality feels staged, particularly given the level of privilege and expectation that surrounds her, and that disconnect is what people are reacting to so strongly."

In a video clip, one resident, named as Leah, praised her looks, remarking, "You look like a model!" Markle responded warmly, "That's so generous – you are so nice!" Staff at the shelter also embraced the visit, drawing attention to the positive spotlight brought by the former Suits actress's attendance.

McAuley CEO Jocelyn Bignold said: "It's very lovely to have attention on the whole issue of homelessness and family violence and she will bring that attention to this facility, so that's good. The women are excited to see and meet her. They're also a little bit nervous."

Harry also connected with young patients during his hospital visit, amongst them a red-haired child, responding with great enthusiasm. He said: "Yes!" One patient revealed the couple had offered words of encouragement throughout their meeting, adding that Harry and Markle "wished me good luck on my journey" and told her to "keep being brave."