Meghan Markle has sparked a fresh wave of royal backlash after releasing a luxury candle tied to her wedding anniversary with Prince Harry, with furious critics demanding the couple be stripped of their royal titles.
The Duchess of Sussex, 44, came under fire after promoting a £48 candle through her lifestyle brand As Ever, with the product reportedly designed to celebrate the couple's May 19 wedding anniversary. The candle, named '519', appears to reference the date of Harry and Meghan's 2018 royal wedding at St George's Chapel in Windsor.
According to the Daily Mail, the candle's description evokes memories of the couple's wedding day and references 'the freshness of a day in the English countryside', alongside notes of Moroccan mint, cardamom, and tea leaves.
But the release quickly ignited outrage online, with critics accusing Meghan of commercializing her royal connections despite stepping back from official duties in 2020.
Social media users slammed the product as 'tacky' and 'tone deaf', while others questioned why the Duchess continues to use royal associations to market her lifestyle brand.
One critic reportedly wrote, 'Remove their titles!' while another branded the anniversary-themed product 'another attempt to cash in on the monarchy.'
The backlash comes as Meghan continues expanding As Ever, her California-based lifestyle company that has already released teas, preserves, and home goods.
Critics Accuse Meghan Of 'Cashing In' On Royal Links
The anniversary candle appears to lean heavily on imagery from Meghan and Harry's royal wedding, one of the most-watched ceremonies in modern history.
The Daily Mail reported that the product description references the couple's 'cherished memories' from their wedding day and the 'spirit of happiness' surrounding the event.
Critics online were quick to point out the irony of the couple distancing themselves from royal duties while still seemingly benefiting from royal branding.
Several commenters argued that commemorative royal memorabilia has traditionally been linked to official royal events rather than private commercial ventures.
Others mocked the concept of a candle inspired by another couple's wedding anniversary, questioning who would buy a luxury fragrance tied to Meghan and Harry's personal milestone.
The candle reportedly retails for $64 in the United States, roughly £48, and is part of a broader As Ever collection that has increasingly blended Meghan's personal experiences with lifestyle marketing.
The controversy also reignited debate around the Sussexes' royal titles, which they retained after leaving Britain and relocating to California.
While King Charles allowed Harry and Meghan to keep their titles as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex after stepping back as senior royals, the couple agreed not to use the word 'Royal' for commercial purposes.
Anniversary Product Fuels Fresh Royal Debate
The launch's timing has only intensified scrutiny, arriving as the couple marked another wedding anniversary amid renewed public attention.
Harry and Meghan married on 19 May 2018, in a lavish Windsor ceremony watched by millions worldwide. Since then, the couple has dramatically reshaped their public image through media deals, interviews, documentaries, and business ventures in the United States.
Meghan's lifestyle relaunch under the As Ever banner has drawn strong reactions since its debut, with supporters praising her entrepreneurial ambitions while critics accuse her of monetizing royal fame.
The candle's branding strongly references Meghan's time within the Royal Family, despite years of public criticism directed at the monarchy by both Meghan and Harry.
Online backlash continued to build after screenshots of the candle description circulated on social media, with royal commentators and critics dissecting the language used to market the product.
Despite the criticism, Meghan appears determined to continue building her lifestyle empire, with As Ever increasingly positioned as a luxury brand inspired by her personal memories, family life, and California lifestyle.
For now, however, the anniversary candle has once again placed the Duchess of Sussex at the center of an explosive royal row, reigniting calls from critics demanding that Harry and Meghan finally lose their royal titles.
