Meghan Markle is once again at the center of a firestorm — and this time, critics are calling her latest business move a “disgusting slap in the face” to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
The 44-year-old duchess is facing intense backlash ahead of her upcoming trip to Australia with husband Prince Harry, as new trademark filings tied to her lifestyle brand raise eyebrows over whether she’s blurring the line between royal prestige and personal profit.
The couple’s planned visit to Sydney and Melbourne — their first return to Australia in more than seven years — is already being blasted by critics as a carefully staged “fake royal tour.”
While the trip is being framed as a series of philanthropic appearances, insiders say the timing tells a different story. Markle has quietly pushed forward trademark filings for her brand “As Ever,” covering everything from cosmetics and fragrances to food and beverages — just as the high-profile tour was being announced.
And it’s not exactly a low-key visit.
One exclusive Sydney-based “girls’ weekend” event tied to Markle reportedly carries a price tag of around $2,000, promising luxury accommodations, wellness experiences, and even a photo opportunity with the duchess. Meanwhile, Harry is set to headline a mental health summit in Melbourne, with tickets costing roughly $1,750, benefiting the charity Lifeline.
But it’s the optics that are igniting outrage.
“For many people, this looks like a calculated effort to cash in on royal status,” one insider said. “The timing of these trademark filings alongside what looks like a royal-style tour is what’s fueling the backlash.”
Critics argue the move crosses a line that Queen Elizabeth II was famously strict about — keeping a clear separation between royal duty and commercial gain.
Royal author Tom Bower didn’t hold back, blasting the move as “grubby” and accusing Markle of monetizing her royal ties despite previous assurances that she wouldn’t.
“This trip is clearly about money and boosting their profile,” Bower said. “They may find the reaction far harsher than they expect.”
The controversy also taps into lingering tensions from when Markle and Harry stepped back from senior royal duties in 2020 — a move that reportedly came with an understanding they would not use their titles for commercial advantage.
Now, critics say the couple is walking a fine line — if not crossing it entirely.
“The structure of this trip mirrors an official royal tour, but with a heavy commercial twist,” another source claimed. “That’s why people are calling it ‘fake.’ It looks like royalty, but it feels like branding.”
Supporters, however, argue Markle is simply building her own business empire and carving out independence beyond the monarchy.
Still, the backlash shows no signs of slowing down — and if anything, it’s only intensifying as the Australia trip approaches.
As one insider bluntly put it: “This is exactly the kind of thing the Queen would have hated — mixing royalty with profit in such a public way.”
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