In a recent episode of the long-running BBC comedy panel show "Have I Got News for You," Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, and her husband, Prince Harry, were the subjects of ridicule, drawing laughs and jeers from an audience of nearly three million viewers. The episode aired on Friday night, showcasing a segment that lampooned Meghan's lifestyle brand, As Ever, which includes products such as jam, tea, and other quintessentially British items.
The show’s host, Alexander Armstrong, highlighted Meghan's description of the launch of her brand as a "pivotal moment," provoking groans from the audience. As part of the sketches, Meghan was depicted wearing a chef's hat while seemingly preparing jam, but the panelists capitalised on the absurdity of her marketing, with team captain Ian Hislop quipping that the jam jars were so limited in availability that it was questionable if they sold out due to popularity or simply because there were "only two jars" available for purchase.
The panel further derided Meghan's cooking skills as showcased in her Netflix series "With Love, Meghan", suggesting that her idea of culinary expertise consisted merely of transferring pretzels from one packet to another. Comedian Phil Wang weighed in on Meghan's authenticity, noting her apparent disgust while handling honeycombs during the show, saying, "She held each honeycomb like it was covered in s**t," and mimicked her American accent while questioning her enthusiastic claims about connecting with nature.
As the comedy continued, Prince Harry was not spared from criticism. The panel made light of the recent scandal surrounding Sentebale, the charity Harry founded in honour of his mother, after allegations of bullying were made against him by the chair. Ian Hislop made a tongue-in-cheek comment regarding Meghan's advice on repurposing jam jars, suggesting they would serve better as a vessel for "writs from charities that your husband has been involved in."
The mocking did not end with family matters, as there were also jokes pertaining to the branding of As Ever, with comic quips suggesting its label looked like "A Sever," likening it to Meghan's relationship with the royal family. Drawing on further mockery, the host ridiculed Meghan's claims about serving lemon tart as a classic British tradition, jesting he had never seen such a dish available at petrol stations.
Current commentary surrounding Meghan's lifestyle brand has not been excessively favourable. New York Magazine, once supportive of the Sussexes, published an article that critically examined the identity crisis Meghan may be experiencing as she attempts to reconcile her past as a British duchess with her present as a California-based mother. The publication described her recent products—such as honey priced at $28 and various types of tea—as both "insultingly basic" and unapproachably upscale.
The piece, authored by Margaret Hartmann, outlined the mixed messages conveyed in Meghan's marketing, pondering whether she identifies more closely with the image of a real-life fairy-tale princess or as a laid-back Californian. Hartmann remarked that Meghan's lifestyle brand seems to oscillate between a grasp of everyday life and the elite world of celebrity, questioning her intended audience and explaining how her instructions on basic tasks, such as making tea, could be perceived as patronising by some consumers.
Moreover, the article highlighted a disconnect, noting that Meghan professes to use her edible flowers in mundane dishes for her children while also presenting herself as a sophisticated brand ambassador. This juxtaposition has contributed to a public perception that is less than favourable, as recent polling indicates that only one in five Britons retain a positive view of the couple.
In summary, the British public’s reception toward Meghan Markle and Prince Harry appears to be increasingly critical, as evidenced by both the comedic treatment they received on national television and the scathing analysis published in New York Magazine regarding the direction of Meghan's lifestyle brand.
Source: Noah Wire Services