Featured Image Credit: Jonathan Brady-Pool/Getty Images
Topics: Meghan Markle, Royal Family, Prince Harry, Princess Lilibet, Prince Archie
Jen Thomas
Topics: Meghan Markle, Royal Family, Prince Harry, Princess Lilibet, Prince Archie
Meghan Markle has come under fire from critics for using her children for what they call an 'outrageous' reason.
The star has been notoriously protective of her two children, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lillibet, 4, often blocking out their faces for social media posts.
In recent Easter celebrations, Markle only showed the back of their heads.
Critics are unimpressed then, given her focus on privacy and keeping the children out of the spotlight, that she has used Archie and Lilibet to promote a product after rumours spread fast that they have trademarked their names.
Advert
As well as her Netflix lifestyle show, Markle has also released a new range of items to use around the home for a Mother's Day launch.
They are part of her As Ever range, and she had featured glimpses of the children in the adverts.
The most controversial items are two candles, each retailing at a whopping $64 each.
One, is No. 506, for “Prince Archie of Sussex’s Birthdate,” and the other is No. 604, for “Princess Lilibet of Sussex’s Birthdate,” according to the brand’s original promotional description.
According to Page Six, a palace source called the move 'an outrageous use of their titles', which they were both given when King Charles ascended to the throne.
The 506 candle is said to be 'a warm, comforting scent … bringing a soft, familiar ease into the room,' with notes of ginger, neroli and cashmere.
Meanwhile, Lilibet's 604 candle is 'a light, floral scent inspired by Princess Lilibet of Sussex’s birthdate, adding a sense of brightness and openness to the home,' with notes of amber, santal and water lily.
Page Six reports that the press release for the range states that the 'candle is inspired by Meghan’s daughter, Princess Lilibet,' and the other 'by Prince Archie of Sussex'.
However, their names do not appear on the products or packaging.
Critics have hit out at the move on social media.
"How can candles be inspired by kids? Why not add a picture of the back of their heads too," said one, sarcastically.
"Nothing like monetising your children!" damned one, while another echoed: "Monetizing their royal titles. Such a shame to the Royal Family."
Another fumed: "Who seriously buys this tat - she’s quick to name products after them but misses the point - we have never seen their faces so have no association."
Someone else pointed out: "Royal titles aren’t meant to double as marketing tools. Using 'Prince' and 'Princess' in a product pitch, especially to sell $64 candles tied to Archie and Lilii is exactly the kind of commercial crossover the rules were designed to avoid."
They added: The agreement when Haz and Meg stepped back was clear: keep royal status separate from profit-making ventures. Blurring that line isn’t “modernising” it’s monetising titles that aren’t supposed to be used that way."
Some fans were quick to defend Meghan though, one hit back at those complaining about the price: "I'm sure there are candles or spreads you can buy at Walmart that suit your budget - buy those."
They added: "As Burberry famously once said - 'you are not the market we're aiming for'. There's a heavy stench of racism about this, how dare the biracial woman sell luxury goods, she's getting above herself, she should be selling budget items to reflect what we see her as" they mimicked.
Another wrote: "Definitely not a fan, buuuuuuut... it's freedom of choice to buy/participate... or not," while another added "She will always get bashed no matter what she does!"