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Back in her The Tig era, Meghan Markle had very different feelings about the cost of candles, and let’s just say her comments have not aged well.
In resurfaced footage from the 2016 Create & Cultivate conference, the then-actress didn’t hold back, calling expensive candles “so obnoxious”.
“You can aspire for it, but you can totally attain it too,” she told the crowd of her vision for her blog. “There are no $100 candles on my site − that’s so obnoxious. I just want things that you can have.”
From attainable to luxe
Now an entrepreneur, the Duchess of Sussex , 44, is selling her own luxe candles through her As Ever brand.
At $89 without shipping, technically, a single candle does come in at under $100, although having it sent to Australia is still something that even money can’t buy as the brand does not ship here.
Alternatively, two of her signature candles, complete with a chic gift box and branded matches, will set shoppers back $179 without shipping while a four pack costs $358.
It’s a hefty price tag that few can afford at the best of times, let alone during a global cost-of-living crisis.
Money woes for Meghan and Harry?
Meanwhile, Meghan and Prince Harry are reported to be facing their own financial difficulties.
Seen in this light, her old comments have attracted some criticism, especially given the current financial climate.
“Meghan Markle used to think expensive candles were ‘obnoxious’. You know, like the ‘obnoxious’ ones she sells now,” wrote one social media user on X.
“Meghan Markle, Duchess of Hypocrisy,” added another.
WHO’s resident royal expert, Kylie Walters, doesn’t find it surprising that her old comments are now raising some eyebrows.
“It’s easy to see why Meghan might be labelled a hypocrite now as her whole business model has changed from one of attainability to exclusivity,” Kylie explains.
“Since she opened As Ever, the strategy has been to release such small batches of products that they almost immediately sell out to create fear that you must immediately buy the next one or miss out.”
Meghan’s past candle controversies
This isn’t the first time Meghan’s candles have lit up social media with complaints, either.
When the range was first launched in October, several customers complained that their candles didn’t have a wick.
Then, in April, there was backlash against Meghan when she was accused of cashing in on her royal connections after she launched a Mother’s Day range inspired by her kids.
Signature Candle No. 506 was inspired by Prince Archie, whose birthday is May 6, and the No. 604 candles were revealed to be named after Princess Lilibet, who arrived on June 4.
Following the Sandringham Summit, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex agreed not to use their titles for commercial gain, which some argue the couple has now breached.
“This is blatant advertising using the kids titles,” one person tweeted.
“The merching of the kids and their titles especially, has now hit, IMO, fraudulence levels!” added another.
After five days, reference to the children’s titles was removed from the As Ever website.
Read more expert opinion and analysis in WHO’s The Royal Verdict with Kylie Walters here.
