Meghan Markle is once again making headlines, proving that no opportunity to capitalize on her royal connection is too insignificant. This time, she has taken a break from her Netflix documentaries and victimhood narratives to embrace the world of affiliate marketing.
Despite once claiming to seek privacy and independence from the royal family, she now appears to believe that selling overpriced sweaters and sunglasses online is the key to achieving that goal. After all, the only real currency she has left is the one she married into. Recently, she launched a "Shop My" account, a platform where she can share her handpicked favorite products, carefully curated to match the effortless influencer aesthetic she has cultivated over the years. Among her so-called must-haves is a $1,415 beige cashmere crew neck from Loro Piana, a choice that has not gone unnoticed.
The internet, as expected, wasted no time in reacting, and the reviews have been far from flattering. One user questioned whether people really needed another celebrity pushing unnecessary luxury items at a time of economic hardship. Another sarcastically remarked that Meghan’s affiliate marketing store was offering products that looked strikingly similar to budget versions available at Walmart but with a hefty price tag. A more pointed critique came from those who couldn’t believe she was being allowed to monetize the monarchy, the very institution she and her husband once vowed to distance themselves from.
The irony is hard to ignore. Meghan and Harry once renounced their royal duties in dramatic fashion while conveniently holding onto their titles. Despite their claims of rejecting the establishment, Meghan made sure to label her store under "Meghan, Duchess of Sussex," as if to remind everyone that her most valuable asset remains her connection to the monarchy. Reports suggest that even across the pond, King Charles and Parliament might finally be considering revoking their titles altogether. Apparently, using a Duchess title to promote expensive linen shirts isn’t quite the behavior expected from former working royals. One frustrated social media user declared that it was time to strip them of their titles for good, calling Meghan shameless. Others echoed the sentiment, pointing out that the late Queen had explicitly ruled that the couple could not use their titles for commercial gain.
The contradictions in Meghan’s actions are glaring. She has repeatedly spoken out against the royal family, claiming to feel trapped by its outdated traditions, yet she continues to profit from her connection to it. Without her title, she is simply another former actress trying to sell a curated lifestyle. With it, she is the self-styled Duchess of QVC, a royal-adjacent influencer who refuses to let go of the golden goose. If King Charles ever decides to sever the last official ties, Meghan might need a backup plan. Perhaps she will rebrand as "Megsy Sussex," a name some speculate she is already attempting to trademark. Or maybe she will pivot to an exclusive former Duchess lifestyle brand, complete with overpriced soy candles and designer meditation pillows. Whatever the case, one thing remains clear—she may have walked away from royal duties, but she has no intention of walking away from royal profits.
