Royal expert says Meghan Markle is going through an 'identity crisis' after she launches new venture

MONTECITO, CALIFORNIA: Meghan Markle has once again come under scrutiny for what critics call a major "identity crisis."

This comes after she launched a new shopping page featuring her favorite fashion and beauty picks and shared a rare photo of her children, Archie, five, and Lilibet, three, as part of the promotion.

Meghan Markle's ShopMy page stirs controversy 

This week, the Duchess of Sussex, 43, introduced a ShopMy page, a curated selection of clothes, bags, and jewelry she endorses, available for purchase with commissionable links.

Among the luxury items listed is the Windsor Gown, priced at a staggering $1,384 (£1,068).

The page, hosted under her As Ever brand, includes a personal note from Meghan: "A handpicked and curated collection of the things I love- I hope you enjoy them!"

She also openly disclosed, "Please note, some products may contain commissionable links."

This means Meghan will earn money from purchases made through her site, a move that some royal experts and commentators find questionable.

The Duchess of Sussex's shopping page includes a selection of high-end items, such as The Alixin Flaunt jeans - $162 (£125), the Andy Oversized Linen Shirt - $166 (£128), and the Polene Cyme Mini bag - $490 (£378).

Royal expert says Meghan Markle is struggling with 'identity crisis'

Speaking on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive Show, Royal Reporter for News.com.au, Bronte Coy, suggested that Meghan Markle is struggling to define her public persona.

"There's this real identity crisis. It's like, who is she?"

Coy also pointed out the contradiction in Meghan's past statements regarding her children’s privacy.

"She didn't want the kids to be on display in the royal family, which I think a lot of parents understand to a point. But then she's launched the Instagram, and she's using the kids, which, again, is her prerogative, but it just kind of falls out of step with what she said previously."

Additionally, Meghan's decision to use a monogram logo featuring a crown on her brand has raised eyebrows, with Coy commenting, "She's kind of an influencer. She has the right to earn money. But it just looks a bit jarring, having the royal stamp on it. So, yeah, I just see it all as a bit of an identity crisis."

The Sun's Royal Editor Matt Wilkinson noted that some critics have labeled the duchess' use of her children’s photos and videos as a marketing tactic, branding it as "tacky."

Weighing in on the topic, The Sun photographer Arthur Edwards said, "I mean, they're just looking for more and more ways to make lots of money. It’s probably tacky here, but in America, it's not probably the same. In America, it's all money-driven, everything."

"But here, we probably think it's a bit tacky and probably don't think it's the right thing to do. But in America, if Meghan's doing it, and they do well, probably some other film star will come along and do something similar," he added. 

Meghan Markle uses Lilibet and Archie's photo to promote ShopMy page

In the promotional post for her shopping page, Meghan Markle is seen holding Lilibet on her hip while hugging Archie.

The photo was shared on her As Ever Instagram account (@aseverofficial), which has 726,000 followers, as well as on her personal account, which boasts 2.6 million followers. The caption read: "Every day is a love story."

Meghan was previously criticized for featuring personal footage of her children in her Netflix show.

A clip shared on social media showed Lilibet dressed in pink with "Auntie" Serena Williams, Page Six reported.

Royal author Hugo Vickers has called Meghan's latest move "hypocritical," considering the couple's past demands for privacy after stepping down from royal duties in 2020.

"They requested privacy, and now it seems like the children are being used as a marketing ploy," he said.