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The latest controversy surrounding Meghan Markle has sparked another wave of criticism, with commentators accusing her of exploiting royal connections for commercial gain. According to recent reports, Meghan is allegedly preparing a fashion project inspired by the late Princess Diana’s signature style. While Diana’s name would reportedly never be used directly, the inspiration is said to be unmistakable — crisp white shirts, blue jeans, understated tailoring, and relaxed elegance, the very look that became iconic before Diana’s tragic death in Paris at age 36.
Critics argue that Meghan understands exactly how powerful Diana’s image still is around the world and sees those visual similarities as a strategic branding opportunity. To many observers, however, the issue is not simply fashion inspiration. They believe it represents the commercialization of a beloved royal figure’s memory — especially sensitive because Diana was the mother of Prince Harry and Prince William.
The speculation intensified after a now widely discussed photo showed Princess Lilibet standing near Meghan inside a large Montecito wardrobe closet. To casual viewers it appeared to be an ordinary family snapshot, but branding experts interpreted it differently. In their view, every image Meghan releases is carefully curated, from the clothing and lighting to the placement of products in the background. The wardrobe image seemed less like a spontaneous family moment and more like the beginning of a lifestyle-fashion rollout connected to the “As Ever” brand.
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Further rumors gained traction when adult and children’s T-shirt sizing charts reportedly appeared briefly on the As Ever website before quietly disappearing. That detail convinced many industry watchers that a fashion expansion was already being prepared behind the scenes.
Reports also claim Meghan has been studying Diana’s famously effortless style as inspiration for the collection. Commentators say this move follows a familiar pattern in which Meghan incorporates references to Diana into her public image. Over the years, many have pointed out similarities between Meghan’s outfits and Diana’s past fashion choices, arguing that the resemblance appears intentional rather than accidental.
At the center of the criticism is the accusation that Meghan continuously turns royal connections into business opportunities. Observers note that after appearing at a Geneva event addressing online safety and children’s issues, items of clothing she wore during the trip quickly became commercially promoted afterward. Critics argue that while public speeches and advocacy projects create prestige, the real objective appears to be monetizing the attention generated by those appearances.
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Some commentators describe this approach as a “flood the zone” strategy — rapidly releasing new content, photographs, announcements, and promotional material so that no single criticism remains in the spotlight for long. According to this theory, whenever one public appearance receives negative attention, another wave of media content immediately follows to redirect the conversation.
The Geneva appearance itself reportedly became a source of embarrassment after claims circulated that attendance was very small. Rather than stepping back, critics say Meghan responded by releasing anniversary photographs, personal family images, fashion hints, and promotional material in quick succession. To her detractors, this looked like an effort to overwhelm negative headlines with new distractions.
At the same time, some observers questioned whether Meghan fully understands the audience she is trying to attract. One promotional video for As Ever drew criticism for what people described as an oddly glamorous or seductive tone that seemed disconnected from the wholesome domestic image associated with jam, preserves, or homeware products. Critics argued that consumers interested in artisan kitchen goods generally look for warmth, authenticity, and relatability rather than polished glamour shots.
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Others believe the larger issue is authenticity itself. They argue that Meghan’s lifestyle branding struggles because audiences sense a disconnect between the carefully curated image and the behavior behind it. According to critics, true elegance is not just about clothing or aesthetics but also about respecting traditions, relationships, and boundaries.
This criticism frequently circles back to Meghan and Harry’s decision to name their daughter Lilibet — a deeply personal nickname long associated with Queen Elizabeth II. Many royal watchers felt the name carried emotional significance within the royal family and should have remained private. To them, it symbolized another example of taking something deeply personal from the monarchy and incorporating it into the Sussex public identity.
The same concern now surrounds the rumored Diana-inspired fashion collection. For Prince William in particular, critics say the idea could feel deeply uncomfortable because Diana was not simply a global fashion icon — she was his mother, whose memory he has tried to protect throughout his adult life. What particularly angers some commentators is the belief that no permission or consultation was sought before allegedly building commercial concepts around Diana’s image.
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Critics claim this reflects a broader disregard for etiquette and traditional courtesies. They argue that Meghan often presents herself as sophisticated and refined while simultaneously ignoring the social rules and respect they believe genuine refinement requires. To those critics, the contradiction between image and conduct is what ultimately damages the Sussex brand.
Another recurring argument is that Meghan’s business ventures fail because the public may pay attention to her but does not necessarily aspire to live like her. Commentators point to various projects — from Netflix productions to lifestyle products and affiliate fashion promotions — that generated headlines but struggled to create lasting enthusiasm.
Some critics also question whether Meghan is well suited to launching a fashion line at all. They argue that her most admired fashion moments occurred during her time as a working royal, when palace stylists and advisers helped shape her public image. Since leaving royal life, they say her fashion choices have often been inconsistent, making it harder to establish herself as a credible style authority.
The wardrobe photo itself became symbolic of these concerns. Critics noted that the image was staged inside a luxurious walk-in closet rather than a kitchen or pantry where homemade preserves would naturally belong. To them, the preserves looked more like props placed among designer clothing in order to blend domestic products with luxury fashion branding. That artificial quality, they argue, weakens the authenticity Meghan is trying to project.
Meanwhile, attention has also turned toward the Sussexes’ changing social status. Commentators compared the star-studded celebrity attendance at Harry and Meghan’s wedding years ago with the relative silence surrounding their recent anniversary. Few famous friends publicly acknowledged the occasion, leading critics to speculate that many former allies now prefer to keep their distance.
Observers point to social media patterns as evidence of this shift. Celebrities who once appeared closely connected to the Sussexes rarely feature them in photos from major events anymore. While polite online interactions may still exist, critics believe many public figures now avoid being visibly associated with the couple.
There are even rumors — though unconfirmed — that influential figures in entertainment and media have privately warned others that close association with Harry and Meghan could damage their own reputations. Whether true or not, those stories have contributed to the perception that the Sussexes have become increasingly isolated within elite social circles.
Ultimately, critics argue that Meghan’s ongoing business strategy depends heavily on one thing above all else: the lingering power of royal association. According to these commentators, the monarchy, Princess Diana, and royal symbolism remain the foundation of her commercial appeal. They believe that without those connections, the lifestyle empire she hopes to build would struggle to attract attention on its own.
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