Duchess urged to take on ‘meaningful’ projects amid backlash over podcast and lifestyle ventures
Meghan Markle has come under fire from royal commentators over her latest projects, casting a shadow just days before her daughter Princess Lilibet's fourth birthday.
The Duchess of Sussex recently completed the first season of her new podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder, with only a bonus episode left to air. In addition, she has launched a Netflix cooking show, With Love, Meghan, and debuted her lifestyle brand, As Ever. But instead of praise, her ventures have triggered fresh criticism.
Speaking to The Sun, royal expert Bronte Coy described Meghan as “a professional hot girl” and likened her new direction to that of an influencer. “She’s a content creator slash influencer now, I would say. And there’s nothing wrong with those things,” she said, “but the influencer part, she’s selling the stuff on Instagram.”
Esther Krakue was even more direct, calling the projects “vacuous” and urging Meghan to pursue more substantial work. “I find it strange that she didn’t lean into the things she actually has professional credits for,” she said, suggesting theatre and the arts as more grounded areas of engagement.
Esther also emphasised the importance of promoting women in a meaningful, realistic way, noting that Meghan’s current ventures risk focusing too much on image rather than impact.
The critique comes at an emotional time for the Duchess, as she and the Duke of Sussex prepare to celebrate a milestone in their family: their daughter Lilibet’s fourth birthday.
