Meghan Markle Launches Rosé on Diana's Birthday, Sparks Outrage
Meghan Markle just uncorked a royal scandal — and it's pink.
The Duchess of Sussex chose Princess Diana's birthday to launch her new rosé wine, triggering a firestorm from royal loyalists who say the move reeks of exploitation. What was pitched as a tribute has critics calling it a tasteless PR stunt, and it's Prince Harry caught in the middle, yet again.
A Launch That Hit a Raw Nerve
The 2023 Napa Valley rosé, priced at $30 a bottle, went on sale through Meghan's As Ever website on July 1. The initial stock reportedly sold out in under an hour, signaling strong demand among her supporters. However, the choice of date quickly drew backlash. Kinsey Schofield, royal reporter and podcaster, told The Sun that "timing an alcohol launch to Diana's birthday wasn't just a misstep, it was borderline cruel."
Schofield explained that the launch struck a very specific nerve because it was not just about the product but the symbolic weight of releasing an alcohol brand on the birthday of a woman who died in a alcohol-related accident. A source close to the royal household said that Prince William was aware of the launch and viewed it with disapproval, seeing it as an insensitive move that touched on a "tender spot" for the family, as reported by The Sun.
Allegations of 'Hijacking' a Legacy
The controversy taps into a broader narrative about Meghan's relationship with Diana's legacy. Critics have alleged that Meghan has long sought to position herself as a spiritual successor to the late princess, a claim that has fueled skepticism and resentment among some royal observers. Schofield recounted to The Express an incident where Meghan allegedly told Prince Harry that Diana spoke to her during a yoga session, a statement overheard by Princess Beatrice at the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
Schofield said, "I feel like Meghan has hijacked or attempted to hijack this woman's legacy, to the point where Meghan is so important that Diana is speaking to her from the other side of the yoga mat," as reported by The Sun.
It is important to note that these claims about hijacking are opinions expressed by commentators and sources close to the royal family, rather than established facts.
Meghan's rosé, described by As Ever as a "pale blush wine" with "notes of stone fruit" and a "lasting finish," according to The Sun, is part of a growing lifestyle brand that includes plans for a sparkling wine. While the product itself has been praised for its quality and sophistication, the optics of launching it on Diana's birthday have overshadowed the wine's reception. Royal fans and commentators have reportedly expressed discomfort with the association of Diana's memory with an alcohol product, especially given the circumstances of her death.
Prince Harry's Emotional Connection
For Prince Harry, Diana's birthday no doubt remains a deeply emotional day. Despite stepping back from royal duties alongside Meghan in 2020, Harry continues to publicly honor his mother's legacy.
"I see her legacy in all of you. I see her legacy in a Diana Award community that spans multiple generations. I see her legacy every time I meet with families, young people, and children from all corners of the world. And, I see my mum's legacy when I look at my own children every day," Harry said while speaking at the Diana Awards in 2022, as reported by PEOPLE. The launch of the rosé on this date surely touches on a personal and painful memory for him, complicating public perceptions of Meghan's intentions.
Schofield speculated to The Sun that while Meghan might have been celebrating the launch with excitement, Harry was likely reflecting on the mother he lost and loved saying. "As Meghan is doing victory laps around the kitchen, excited for this launch, Harry is still thinking about the mother he lost, the mother that he loved, the mother that he talks to us about constantly," she emphasized.
This contrast between celebration and mourning has fueled accusations that the timing was a deliberate attempt to claim a share of Diana's legacy for commercial gain.
The Debate Over Legacy and Commerce
The launch has reignited a broader debate about the boundaries between honoring a legacy and commercial enterprise. Schofield told The Sun that linking Diana's memory to a commercial product, especially one tied to alcohol feels like a misjudgment saying, "There are 363 other days to launch a wine or an alcohol brand. Choosing this one, even if unintentional, speaks volumes."
This perspective highlights the tension between personal tribute and public relations in celebrity branding. Some insiders hope that Meghan and Harry's business success might eventually ease tensions with the palace and reduce public criticism. Yet, the choice to launch an alcohol brand on such a significant date has only intensified scrutiny and skepticism, reinforcing the perception of a calculated clash over legacy and optics.
The Weight of Diana's Legacy
Princess Diana's legacy remains one of the most powerful and enduring in modern royal history. Her tragic death in a Paris car crash involving an intoxicated driver in 1997 left a lasting impact on the royal family and the public. Diana's birthday, July 1, is a day of remembrance and reflection for many, including her sons, who continue to honor her memory through charitable work and public appearances.
The decision to launch an alcohol product on this date inevitably invites comparisons and raises questions about respect and intent. While Meghan's brand emphasizes qualities such as empathy and compassion — traits she shares with Diana according to Prince Harry, the timing of the rosé release has overshadowed these connections for some, sparking a debate about the boundaries of legacy and commercial enterprise.
Looking Forward
As Meghan continues to expand her lifestyle brand, the controversy surrounding the rosé launch serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between personal tribute and public perception. The royal family's legacy, especially that of Princess Diana, carries immense emotional weight, and any attempt to associate with it publicly invites intense scrutiny.
For Meghan and Harry, navigating this legacy while building their own path remains a complex challenge. The rosé launch on Diana's birthday may have been a strategic move to stake a claim in the lifestyle market, but it has also reignited old tensions and raised fresh questions about the intersection of family, memory, and commerce.
Whether viewed as a heartfelt homage or a calculated marketing ploy, the launch has undeniably sparked a conversation about how legacies are honored, and contested, in the public eye.
References: 'Cruel' Meghan launching her rosé on Diana's birthday is scheme to hijack Harry's mum's legacy, expert slams | How Did Princess Diana Die? The True Story of Her Tragic Car Accident | Meghan Markle accused of 'cruel' act as she tries to 'hijack Diana's legacy'
