MEGHAN Markle made a “ridiculous” mistake hours before Trooping the Colour, a royal expert has said.
The Duchess of Sussex, 42, sparked controversy after a “very, very strange” move in the American Riviera Orchard: PR would have warned her not to do it.
Just hours before the important royal event, Trooping the Color, Meg decided to launch two new products from American Riviera Orchard.
Harry’s polo pal Nacho Figueras shared a snap on Instagram of his luxurious raspberry jam and some dog biscuits sent by the former Suits actress.
You can’t understand what the Sussexes have done. They should have been quiet
Richard Fitzwilliams
Meanwhile, her husband Harry failed to acknowledge King Charles’ official birthday on Saturday and apparently ignored Father’s Day.
In stark contrast, Prince William posted a touching photo of himself as a child with Charles in a show of support amid his continued brave health battles.
Speaking to The Sun exclusively about the ill-timed launch of Meghan’s brand, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said: “Megan and Harry know perfectly well that everything they do is monitored by the press.
“The idea that they would do something on Trooping the Color day. I mean, it’s pretty silly.
Duty and family are everything to Kate
By ARTHUR EDWARDS, Sun Royal photographer
THE Royals were one big happy family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace when the Princess of Wales made an emotional one-off appearance.
This was a brave return to public life for Catherine, who has bravely battled cancer for the past three months.
She had no business being in Trooping the Color and no one would have blamed her for staying away.
But she still decided to attend.
It’s a measure of how much her duty and her family mean to her.
I have not seen the Princess of Wales in person since her last public engagement on Christmas Day, more than six months ago.
Yesterday he looked very good and, above all, very healthy.
Although the photograph published on Friday by Kensington Palace was a solemn shot, yesterday Catherine was radiant with joy; her smile will undoubtedly warm the hearts of the nation.
Accompanied by William, who carried on alone while supporting his ailing wife and adorable children, the entire group looked relaxed and united during one of the most important days of the year for the Royal Family.
It was also lovely to see Catherine exchange words with her father-in-law, King Charles.
They both fought hard to return to their duties and even through a long lens you can see that they have a genuine warmth for each other.
The only downside was the classic British weather.
It was cold.
He was wet.
My jacket and camera were soaked.
Next Thursday will be the longest day of the year, but the pouring rain made me feel like it was the middle of January.
However, the moment the princess came out to wave and smile, it was worth enduring the downpour.
Many elegant outfits were on display (it was a military parade after all), but the Princess of Wales’ stunning white dress was a cut above the rest.
Almost all the cameras were fixed on her and with exceptional taste she chose a dress that thousands of supporters could see on The Mall.
This was an extraordinary return from an extraordinary woman and I am sure it would have meant a lot to have her family by her side.
That’s why it’s not surprising that he couldn’t stop smiling at all times.
“I mean, it’s kind of a shock. What was done was just stupid. We know that in March Meghan launched American Riviera Orchard.
“We know he sent about 50 jars of strawberry jam to some of his friends and influencers, he had some endorsements, but this wasn’t really very impressive.
“There weren’t many celebrities saying how wonderful he was.
“What’s so strange is that she did something on Trooping the Color day, it doesn’t make any sense.
“The label on the bottle said two out of two, if you’re only going to send two bottles, what’s the point?”
“I don’t think it was thought through. This doesn’t make sense in terms of public relations. It’s ridiculous.”
‘NEVER ATTENDED’
Fitzwilliams added that the Duke and Duchess are known for distracting and diverting attention from royal events.
“The Sussexes have never cared about royal protocol, that there are no daily conflicts,” said the expert.
“None of her PR advisors would have advised Meghan to do this. This is kind of a joke.
“It’s very, very strange. If you just sent the jam to a friend, you should have asked them not to post it, because otherwise it clearly makes them an object of ridicule.”
The royal commentator added that it was a “strange” choice amid continued “pressure” from the Royal Family.
“The official birthday of Harry’s father, who is battling cancer.
“And because this was so significant, Catherine was able to watch the parade from the Horse Guards office and also appear on the balcony, and she is receiving preventative cancer chemotherapy.
“So you can’t understand what the Sussexes have done. They should have just been quiet.”
FATHER’S DAY SILENCE
Meanwhile, Harry was also unable to share a message for his father on the special Sunday, as his brother Wills uploaded a sweet post.
King Charles also posted an adorable photo of himself as a baby with his father, Prince Philip.
However, Fitzwilliams suggested Charles would feel “indifferent” if he did not receive a show of support on Father’s Day from his “wayward” son.
He claimed that the Royal Family has bigger priorities than dealing with the Harry and Meghan drama.
The Sussexes have never cared about royal protocol, that you don’t have a daily clash
Mr. Fitzwilliams
“Greetings or not, this is how individuals behave towards each other,” the commentator added.
“That was put under the microscope recently, and I mean it was very, very strange.
“We know that Harry will appeal the security issues and there may be a further court appearance.
“We also know that he talked about coming, possibly periodically, to see his father.
GARDEN OF THE AMERICAN RIVIERA
By Becky Pemberton
MEGHAN Markle will soon launch her American Riviera Orchard brand and could bill herself as “American Nigella Lawson”, according to a branding expert.
However, the Duchess of Sussex, 42, may face some challenges as she tries to create a “domestic goddess in the kitchen” image across the pond.
Professor Pauline Maclaran, professor of marketing and consumer research at Royal Holloway, University of London, told the BBC: “I would see this as a much more domestic market.
“With these new majestic connections now and, you know, promoting elegance.”
Professor Maclaran stated that Meghan is positioning herself to be the next Nigella Lawson and Martha Stewart.
One problem Meghan might face is that, although she shared recipes on her now-defunct blog The Tig, the former Suits actress isn’t necessarily known for her cooking and technically doesn’t have any formal training as a chef.
Royal author Phil Dampier told Fabulous: “Meghan doesn’t have a history of being a great cook, so she would struggle to be a Californian Nigella Lawson.
“There is a danger that you can become too invested in doing several things and none of them well. Meghan is known as an actress, so people may not take her seriously in the kitchen.
“To be fair, she wouldn’t be the first celebrity to decide to cash in on culinary shows for the masses despite not having much experience.”
But perhaps formal cooking training doesn’t matter.
“But nothing has come of that, so we’ll just have to wait and see what their intentions are.
“But the relationship the Sussexes have with the media is sometimes too close, for example Harry speaking to Good Morning America after visiting Charles in February.
“The Sussexes object to the way the media covers them.
“But, my God, if you look at the way, in recent years they have used the media. I mean, they have been ruthless at times.”
