Meghan Markle slammed for overshadowing ‘Diana’s legacy’ by launching lifestyle brand on her awards day

MONTECITO, CALIFORNIA: Meghan Markle launching her new lifestyle brand on the same day as the Diana Awards did not sit well with a section of royal commentators.

Royal commentator Pandora Forsyth termed the timing as “bizarre” and slammed the Duchess of Sussex for launching her lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard on the same day as the Diana Awards.

The 42-year-old Duchess announced the launch of her lifestyle brand with a website and an accompanying Instagram account on Thursday, March 14.

Forsyth, however, feels that Markle’s grand announcement hindered the resonance of the event commemorating Princess Diana’s legacy.

Royal commentator slams Meghan Markle for inopportune timing

Pandora Forsyth strongly criticized the ‘Suits’ actress for deciding an inopportune time for the launch of American Riviera Orchard.

“I thought as soon as it happened, surely this would be an event in both of their calendars," she told GB News, per OK! Magazine.

Exclaiming at the similar timing, she continued, “I would have thought the Diana Award and the Diana Legacy Award would be something that is crossed over. I’m really surprised."

Forsyth’s castigation wasn’t only reserved for the mother-of-two as she slammed Prince Harry as well. The feuding brothers attended the event - William in person and Harry virtually.

“Harry was involved in this for many years," said the royal commentator before adding, "It was only a few years ago he was up on stage with William. How times have changed."

She believes that the Sussexes should have kept their professional calendar in mind while deciding on such a monumental event as this.

Forsyth continued, “A big project like this would have had a date in the diary for many months," before adding, “I do not see how in the Sussex world, how an amber flag wouldn’t have come up."

“I don’t see how it would have passed Harry too," she noted.

The royal commentator added, "I’m quite shocked. This is Diana’s legacy so I am really surprised.”

However, Forsyth remarked that Meghan launching a lifestyle brand did not take her by surprise, rather she “knew” Meghan was “going to launch a lifestyle brand.”

She continued, “You can buy homeware items and cookery items if you so wish,” before noting, “This will tie into Netflix as well where we will probably see Meghan cooking, if that takes your interest.”

Meghan Markle slammed for using Princess Diana’s legacy

Not only Pandora Forsyth but another royal commentator has also called out the ‘Suits’ actress’ timing. 

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams recently shared his opinion on the brand that is planning to sell edibles, serve wares, tablecloths, and napkins.

However, Meghan chose the day of the Diana Legacy Awards, hours before Prince William delivered a heartfelt tribute to the late Princess. Prince Harry joined the ceremony virtually as he too delivered an emotional tribute to his late mother.

Fitzwilliams criticized the Sussexes, saying, "The timing simply means that obviously (yesterday would have got them) a lot of promotion. Obviously, so, it's obvious why they chose this time.”

In an interview with The Sun per The Mirror, he added, “As far as the timing is concerned it's perfectly obvious why the Sussexes have done this - they always plan pretty meticulously.”

“There's no doubt that they never do anything accidentally,” said the royal commentator before claiming that the day was chosen in an effort to “underline the very deep rift in the Royal Family”.

Fitzwilliams added that Meghan’s actions have “reminded us that the Sussexes are still in the game”.