Prince William accused of 'trolling' Meghan Markle with sour jam photo at royal event

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA: Prince William found himself at the center of a media storm after a photo of him posing with a jar of sour jam at the Earthshot Prize Awards barbecue in South Africa went viral.

The image quickly sparked rumors that it was a veiled jab at his estranged sister-in-law, Meghan Markle.

Was it a deliberate dig at Meghan Markle?

The controversy stems from Meghan Markle's failed attempt to launch her business venture, American Riviera Orchard, earlier this year. The venture, which involved sending jars of homemade strawberry jam to celebrity friends, faced a series of setbacks, including trademark and regulatory issues, preventing any products from hitting the market.

Sources close to the royal family suggest that the photo, which featured William with sour fig jam from a local fisherwoman, may have been an intentional reference to Meghan’s business troubles.

A former palace courtier pointed out that royal photos are carefully curated and scrutinized, implying that the jam pose could be seen as a subtle dig. The fisherwoman who gifted the jam to William had previously sent a similar batch to Buckingham Palace years ago, fueling speculation that this gesture may have been loaded with meaning.

He said, “Nothing happens by accident when it comes to royal photos. It looks very much like he is trolling her.”

Despite the jam-related controversy, William focused on his family at the event, praising his wife, Kate Middleton, and sharing a heartfelt moment when he revealed a bracelet made for him by his daughter, Princess Charlotte, which he wore proudly throughout the evening.

The Earthshot Prize, dedicated to addressing climate change, also awarded £1 million to innovative tech startups working towards sustainability.

Prince William's jam photo raises eyebrows

A recent photo of Prince William enjoying a jam session during his visit to Cape Town for the Earthshot Prize has raised some eyebrows among social media users. The image, which shows the prince with a less-than-thrilled expression while handling the jam, has quickly become a subject of mockery and confusion.

One user commented, “Oh the irony,” while another found humor in the situation, writing, “Hilarious.” However, not everyone was amused. Critics took to social media to point out what they saw as an odd contrast between the prince’s charitable mission and the optics surrounding the photo.

One user remarked, "So he goes all the way to Cape Town for Earthshot, drags some ex-supermodels along and all he can think about is Meghan? Pathetic."

Another user said, "This does not make William look good at all," while another lamented, "So sad. The prince of sour jam." 

Prince William hopes for Kate Middleton’s return to royal duties in 2025

Prince William is optimistic about his wife, Kate Middleton, resuming her royal duties in a more active role in 2025.

The Prince of Wales recently discussed the possibility of Kate participating in future royal trips, expressing his hope that she will be able to join him on upcoming engagements. “Hopefully Catherine will be doing a bit more next year, so we’ll have some more trips maybe lined up,” William shared during a recent public appearance.

Kate announced in early September that she had completed her chemotherapy treatment after being diagnosed with cancer earlier in the year. Her health battle had kept her away from royal events for several months, but with her recovery underway, she is expected to gradually return to her public duties.

During his recent trip to Cape Town, South Africa, William also reflected on his approach to his royal role. “I’m doing it differently, and I’m trying to do it for my generation,” he said.

“I really care about what I do. It helps impact people's lives,” he explained, underscoring the importance of empathy in leadership.

Looking ahead, William will return to South Africa next year for the US Climate Change Conference, continuing his efforts to address global challenges through his royal platform.

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