Meghan Markle Faces Criticism Over Homemade Jam as Fans Spot ‘Labels Peeling Off
Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has recently been the target of criticism following the distribution of her homemade strawberry jam to friends, which included public figures like Delfina Blaquier and fashion designer Tracy Robbins. These friends shared images of the gifted jars on Instagram, sparking a wave of feedback from royal enthusiasts and the broader public.
The controversy primarily revolves around the jam jars’ labels, which appear to be handwritten—a nod to Meghan’s background in calligraphy—and are reportedly peeling off. This detail has not gone unnoticed on social media platforms like X, where users have expressed their disappointment and concerns over what they perceive as a lack of quality. Comments range from critical observations about the “cheap labels coming off” to outright mockery about the product’s presentation.
Despite the backlash, some individuals have come to Meghan’s defense, suggesting that the labels were designed to be easily removable to encourage the recycling and repurposing of the jars. One supporter pointed out, “Meghan is a sustainable girly. The label probably isn’t stuck firmly on to allow people to peel it off easily and reuse the jar for other things – maybe their own homemade batch of jam… from a cookbook.”
This initiative by Meghan to distribute homemade jam may have been inspired by her father-in-law, King Charles III, who has been selling goods from the Duchy of Cornwall estate since the 1990s, including his own range of jams. Meghan’s venture into this area hints at a potential interest in expanding her brand to include not only food products but possibly homeware and cookbooks as well.
The recipients of Meghan’s jam, Tracy Robbins and Delfina Blaquier, are notable figures in their own right. Robbins, a fashion designer, and her husband Brian, a Paramount executive, are close to the Sussexes and have included them in significant social events, such as the premiere of a Bob Marley film in Jamaica. Similarly, Blaquier, an Argentine socialite married to Nacho Figueras—a friend of Prince Harry—shared her delight at receiving one of the jars. The couples were recently seen together at a charity polo match in Florida.
The jam jars, therefore, are not just simple gifts but a symbol of the personal connections and network that the Sussexes maintain. They also represent Meghan’s continuing effort to carve out a personal and entrepreneurial identity separate from the traditional royal pursuits. While the feedback has been mixed, it underscores the intense scrutiny public figures face, particularly when they endeavor to launch new endeavors or products.