18 June 2024 , 11:05
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Meghan Markle raised eyebrows at the weekend with her decision to release two new American Riviera Orchard products.
Critics have questioned the timing of the launch - which coincided with the King's official birthday celebrations, Trooping the Colour.
The royals were out in force for the annual event, which saw Princess Kate take her place back in the fold following her cancer diagnosis. Her long-awaited return to the public eye made headlines across the globe.
But two hours before the event started, Prince Harry's polo pal Nacho Figueras shared a snap on Instagram of a jar of raspberry jam and some dog biscuits sent by the former Suits actress. But the timing has been slammed by onlookers, with one royal expert describing it as a "silly" decision.
Nacho shared a snapshot of Meghan's dog biscuits on Instagram (@nachofigueras/instagram)
Kate made her public return on Saturday for King Charles' official birthday (James Veysey/REX/Shutterstock)"I mean, it is a clash of a sort. What was done was just silly," Richard Fitzwilliam told the Sun. "We know in March Meghan launched American Riviera Orchard. We know that she sent some 50 jars of strawberry jam to some of her pals and influencers, she had a few endorsements, but this wasn't really very impressive.
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"There weren't many A-listers who said how wonderful it was. What's so odd is that she did anything on the day of Trooping the Colour at all, it doesn't make any sense. The label on the jar said two of two, if she's only going to send two jars out, what on earth is the point?"
"I don't think it's been thought out. This makes no public relations sense. It's ridiculous."
The Mirror has contacted representatives for Meghan for comment.
The weekend also served to highlight the distance between Harry and Meghan and the rest of the royal family. Having decided to step down as working royals, they were not invited to attend Trooping the Colour. And Harry failed to share a Father's Day message for the King.
Prince William, meanwhile, shared a loving tribute to Charles, sharing a throwback snapshot showing him as a child playing football with his dad. He captioned the image: "Happy Father's Day, Pa. W."
Appearing on Lorriane on Monday, the Mirror's royal editor Russell Myers noted the significance of William's choice of photo. He selected a picture that did not include his younger brother - suggesting that the feud between the siblings shows no sign of healing.
Prince Harry most recently returned to his home country in May to celebrate 10 years of the Invictus Games. However, he did not reunite with his father. He cited the King's 'full schedule', but this was called into question by claims that Charles had offered Harry royal accommodation, which was refused.
The father and son last saw each other in February when Harry flew to London to see the King amid news of the monarch's cancer diagnosis. Their meeting lasted just 45 minutes.