Meghan Markle has found herself the subject of mockery following her decision to showcase a tote bag adorned with her royal initials during a recent Instagram post.
The Duchess of Sussex shared a video on the platform, chronicling her public relations tour in New York and Washington D.C. The clip prominently featured a black and blue bag with the large initials “DS” prominently displayed.
According to People magazine, these initials stand for “Duchess of Sussex.”
This tote bag appearance comes after Meghan declared on her Netflix series that she prefers to be known by the surname Sussex, rather than Markle.
The Instagram reel, set to the tune of Dolly Parton’s classic “9 to 5,” captures the tote bag sitting atop a suitcase as it is wheeled down a hallway.
Meghan can also be seen smiling alongside the tote while riding in an elevator, further highlighting her affection for the accessory.
The video continues then moves on to show the former Suits backstage before her appearance at Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Summit.
One critic tweeted: ‘Please don’t tell me she had a bag made with the initials DS for Duchess of Sussex? Didn’t she say in the Fortune monologue that she was “Recovering from her time in the institution”?’
Another said: ‘So heinously tacky.’ A third critic added: ‘Oh God that is cringe!’.
Meghan Markle’s Instagram post showing a bag that appears to be monogrammed with DS – a reference to the Duchess of Sussex. Critics called it tacky
Meghan also showed herself in the elevator with the bag behind her. She says her surname is Sussex, not Markle
The video also showed the Jefferson Memorial, toasting champagne glasses and finally the Duchess of Sussex grinning in the cockpit of an airplane before some images from the window.
‘Love being surrounded by strong women supporting each other!’ she wrote.
‘Thanks to @fortunempw, my team, DC, and my sweet friends for the 24 hours of impact (and fun!)’.
Meghan’s supporters have suggested that the ‘DS’ may not be her’s because it appeared to be being carried by someone else.
But People, considered Meghan and Harry’s preferred publication in the US, insist it does belong to the duchess and that the DS tote bag is ‘nod to her royal title’.
And others pointed to her Instagram post and said that a member of her ‘team’ may have been helping carry her luggage.
A spokesman for the Duchess declined to comment.
Meghan recently admonished a celebrity friend on her new Netflix show claiming her surname is now Sussex not Markle.
Meghan is the first Duchess of Sussex in history and Prince Harry is only the second ever Duke of Sussex – but only visited together once in 2018, for six hours.
She and Harry were handed the dukedom of Sussex on the day of their wedding in May 2018 by the late Queen Elizabeth II.
The couple were cheered on the streets of Chichester, Bognor Regis, Brighton and Peacehaven during a packed day of engagements when they visited in October 2018.
That was the only time they visited together with Meghan spending around six hours there in her entire royal life.
But in March she insisted her surname is Sussex as she corrected her celebrity friend Mindy Kaling in an awkward moment on her new Netflix cookery show.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, on their only visit to the county in 2018
The moment Meghan told Mindy Kalling ‘you know I’m Sussex now’ when her friend called her Markle
As Mindy looked confused, Meghan, who has only visited Sussex once, continued: ‘You have kids and you go “No, I share my name with my children”‘
In episode two of With Love, Meghan, she was joined by Mindy, 45, as she shows her fellow mother how to host a children’s party.
As Meghan carefully demonstrated how to assemble a cucumber sandwich, the pair spoke about their favourite fast food growing up.
The Duchess of Sussex called herself a ‘latchkey kid’ who ‘grew up with a lot of fast food and TV tray dinners’, listing off US chains Pollo Loco, Taco Bell and Jack In The Box.
But Mindy appeared to get under Meghan’s skin with her response, as she said: ‘I don’t think anyone in the world knows that Meghan Markle has eaten Jack In The Box and loves it.’
Trying to hide her frown with a smile, she replied: ‘It’s so funny you keep saying Meghan Markle, you know I’m Sussex now.’
As Mindy looked confused, Meghan, who has only visited Sussex once, continued: ‘You have kids and you go “No, I share my name with my children”.
‘I didn’t know how meaningful it would be to me but it just means so much to go “This is our family name. Our little family name”.
After being corrected, Mindy awkwardly responded: ‘Well, now I know and I love it.’
Days later Drew Barrymore became the first celebrity to fall in line and refer to the Duchess of Sussex as ‘Meghan Sussex’.
She popped up at a glitzy vegan banquet in Los Angeles last night celebrating women ‘owning their power’ and helping ‘each other get s**t done’.
As her two-week PR blitz in the US continued last night, the Duchess of Sussex was guest of honour at a party thrown by her friend and fellow podcaster Emma Grede, the British-born CEO of fashion brand Good American and a founding partner of Kim Kardashian’s Skims line.
Meghan is out about again, this time in LA, at a dinner thrown by her friend, entrepreneur Emma Grede
Guests clink glasses of Meghan’s wine, which washed down an entirely plant-based dinner
The dinner was at the home of designer Kelly Wearstler, where celebrity chef Camilla Marcus produced an entirely plant-based menu, washed down with Meghan’s As Ever wine.
Ms Grede shared a number of images on Instagram and showed Meghan sat right next to the host.
She said: ‘This dinner series is about making that energy ours. About women coming together to share openly, trade resources, and help each other get s**t done.
‘Because when women choose to collaborate, to champion each other, and to speak honestly about the highs and the hard parts, we don’t just change our own stories. We change what’s possible for every woman who follows.
‘Here’s to more seats, more voices, and more women leading, building, and owning their power’.
Emma posed with Meghan and shared a video of the women clinking glasses. But while Meghan appeared to be drinking her own sauvignon blanc.
Emma had red wine, which As Ever does not sell, although fans were quick to suggest that
Meghan did her best to command attention in a typically chic ensemble, complete with a Giuliva Heritage Stella Linen Blazer in camel, teamed with the matching trousers and a white crop top to show off her toned midriff.
Adding a touch of glitz to her smart outfit, the Duchess opted for her Cartier Love gold bracelet and a statement collar necklace from Aurate New York.
