Just hours before Princess Kate made her highly anticipated public appearance at Trooping the Colour, marking her return after secret medical treatments, Meghan Markle unveiled two new products from her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard. The announcement, shared by polo star Nacho Figueras, a close friend of Prince Harry and Meghan, featured raspberry jam and dog biscuits. The timing of this announcement has led many to believe it was a deliberate move to divert attention from Kate’s courageous battle with cancer.
“This was no coincidence,” a high-level palace courtier told the Globe magazine. “This was a blatant attempt to steal the limelight from courageous Kate. How could Meghan stoop so low when both Kate and King Charles are showing incredible strength while battling cancer?”
The backlash was swift. Royal commentator Kinsey Schofield criticized the move as “catty and unnecessary,” emphasizing that Figueras would not have posted the photos without Meghan’s permission. “Obviously Nacho had permission from Meghan. You don’t go posting a gift from Meghan without it,” Schofield said.
The Sussexes, who stepped down from royal duties in 2020 and have since been estranged from the rest of the royal family, were not invited to the Trooping the Colour parade. This snub, combined with Meghan’s product launch, has led to speculation that the promotion was a form of retaliation. “Being snubbed again must have crushed her. She needs her royal connections if she hopes to sell her jams and dog biscuits!” a courtier speculated.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams added that the timing of the product launch showed a “very naive approach to marketing,” noting that the Sussexes must be aware that journalists closely monitor their actions. He described the product reveal as an “ill-timed brand rollout,” further complicating the public’s perception of Meghan and Harry.
Despite the controversy, Princess Kate’s return to public life was a significant moment. She attended the event with her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, presenting a united and hopeful image of the royal family. Kate, dressed impeccably in a white Jenny Packham dress, posed for photos on the balcony alongside Prince William and their children, providing a glimmer of optimism for her ongoing health journey.
Kate’s presence at Trooping the Colour was particularly poignant, given her recent health challenges. She revealed earlier in June that she was undergoing chemotherapy for cancer and expressed hope to participate in more public engagements over the summer. Her determination to continue her duties despite her health struggles has been widely praised.
In contrast, Meghan’s recent actions have only served to deepen the divide between her and the rest of the royal family. Critics argue that her attempts to maintain a public profile through her brand’s promotional activities come off as self-serving and insensitive, especially given the context of Kate’s health battle.
Sources close to Meghan have defended her, arguing that the timing of Figueras’s post was not a calculated move. “Meghan did not order up the post from Figueras, and in fact had no input over when or if he would post,” a source told The Daily Beast. They emphasized that Meghan’s camp believes the backlash is unjustified and that the narrative of her trying to upstage Kate is false.