Celebrity chef and outspoken critic of Meghan Markle, Jameson Stocks, has accused her of using her ‘royal past’ to boost her brand, claiming that if she were merely a ‘TV actress,’ her ventures would garner little attention.

Known for his dismissive stance on the Duchess of Sussex’s lifestyle initiatives, Jameson also argued that her product prices, such as a £49 honey, are inflated due to a ‘royal tax’ she imposes.

The 44-year-old Duchess recently introduced As Ever’s new holiday collection, which features a £32 fruit spread gift box, £49 candles, £24 honey with honeycomb, and mulling kits for spiced cider and hot toddy priced at £12 each.

Discussing the pricing strategy, Stocks told The Express, “While it’s normal for businesses to seek profits, there’s a distinction between fair pricing and exploiting customers.”

He added, “I suggest looking elsewhere, where you can find honey at a much lower cost without the added royal tax.”

Stocks is not alone in his criticism, as other experts have also accused Meghan of using the royal status she often criticizes to boost her sales.

Royal biographer Richard Fitzwilliams told the Daily Mail: ‘In the video promoting these festive delights, we actually see her monogram, letter M, with a coronet on top. This has been used in stationery too, as we have seen in correspondence. 

‘The gift basket that was sent to Archetypes contributor Jamie Kern Lima, had an accompanying note with her monogram as well. This is surely cashing in on the royal status that she so derides.’ 

Indeed, since the launch of As Ever as well as Meghan’s media projects  – including two podcasts and a Netflix cookery show – royal watchers have noted the frequent use of motifs, symbols, and words tied to her brief time in The Firm. 

However, LA-born Meghan’s demonstrations of royalty have left most fans rather unimpressed – especially those living stateside – as one X user previously grumbled: ‘It means absolutely nothing to me as an American.’ 

‘Old money vs new money, real aristocracy just don’t do that. Who wants to bet even her toilet roll has it on,’ joked another, while other critics labelled Meghan’s use of the royal insignia as ‘cringey’, ‘pathetic’ and ‘vulgar’. 

‘I’m Sussex now!’ 

The most priceless moment from Meghan’s Netflix series was her interaction with Mindy Kaling during season one. 

In episode two of the cookery show’s first season, Meghan is joined by The Office star, 45, as she shares her tips for hosting the perfect children’s party.

While Meghan carefully assembled a cucumber sandwich, the pair discussed their their favourite kind of fast food. 

Describing herself as a ‘latchkey kid’ who grew up eating ‘a lot of fast food and TV tray dinners’ from US chains like 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.’ 

DS tote bag   

The launch of Meghan’s festive collection was preceded by trips to Paris, New York, and Washington DC, as the Duchess of Sussex attended Balenciaga’s show, travelled to the Big Apple with Prince Harry, and spoke at Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Summit in the capital. 

Her trusted travel companion, fans noticed, was an oversized Longchamp tote with her initials ‘DS’ emblazoned across the black and blue bag. 

People magazine reported the monogram stands for the Duchess of Sussex, after Meghan was seen carrying it in videos from her trips across the US. 

Meghan’s supporters have suggested that the ‘DS’ may not be hers 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 a ‘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’s crown cypher 

Royal fans have also accused Meghan of capitalising on her nearly two-year-long association with the Firm after they spotted her royal cypher in a promo for the holiday drop. 

Hours before the collection was released, Meghan posted a clip on Instagram showing her working at her desk – but onlookers quickly spotted a blue notebook with her royal cypher on its cover. 

The monogram – comprising the letter M with a crown on top – was unveiled ahead of her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018. 

Reacting to the embossed stationery, one X user wrote: ‘Another example of Meghan putting her royal cypher on pretty much anything, you can see it on her notebook in the latest Instagram Story.’ 

It’s not the first time Meghan has shown off her royal monogram since the Sussexes quit the Royal Family. 

In October 2022, author Allison Yarrow, from New York, shared a thank-you letter she’d received from the Duchess of Sussex after contributing to Meghan’s podcast Archetypes.

The note was written on headed paper featuring the symbol.

Then in April 2025, the former Suits actress sparked controversy after her friend, IT Cosmetics founder Jamie Kern Lima shared a picture of a food hamper from the Duchess with a message that read: ‘With the compliments of HRH The Duchess of Sussex.’ 

Harry and Meghan’s agreement with the late Queen and senior officials was that they would stop using the word ‘Royal’ and their HRH titles after they quit duties and emigrated to the US to become ‘financially independent’ from the Crown.

While a spokesperson for the Sussexes insisted they do not use their HRH titles for commercial purposes, a source close to Meghan claimed she still calls herself Her Royal Highness to friends and in private correspondence.

Commenting on Ms Lima’s hamper and Meghan’s note, royal author Ingrid Seaward felt that the latter’s insistence on calling herself Her Royal Highness would have ‘highly offended the Queen’ when the Daily Mail reported she has been sending the same HRH note for at least five years. 

Signature Candle No. 519 

In addition to the cypher, Meghan released a very royal-themed product as part of the latest launch. 

Signature Candle No. 519, which retails for $64, is an obvious nod to her time as a Royal and living in the UK. 

According to its description on As Ever’s website, the candle is scented with Moroccan mint, cardamom, and tea leaves to ‘evoke the freshness of a day in the English countryside’. 

It also harks back to the Duchess of Sussex’s ‘cherished memories’ of her nuptials at St George’s Chapel, and the ‘spirit of happiness’ and being ‘surrounded by love and laughter’ on May 19, 2018. 

Mr Stocks is not the only expert who has criticised Meghan for ‘misreading the room’ with her newest range of products, with American PR executive Sarah Schmidt telling the Daily Mail that As Ever is only really ‘selling access’ to the Duchess. 

‘A $64 candle tied to her wedding date might make sense for her personal narrative, but she’s misreading the room,’ Schmidt said.

‘The vibe of this year’s consumer is that of practicality and quiet comfort. The idea of “everyday luxury” works when people buy into the story,’ she shared.

‘As Ever still feels like it’s selling access to Meghan. And is that something people are willing to pay a premium price for this holiday? Probably not.’

Windsor dress 

Meghan showed off a range of stylish outfits when she joined Prince Harry for the Sussexes’ quasi-royal tour of Nigeria last May – including a Heidi Merrick dress with a very regal name. 

For one of her engagements on the three-day trip last May, the Duchess picked a daring backless gown from the Californian designer. 

The peach maxi dress is thought to have been released in 2018 – the year of Meghan and Harry’s wedding. 

But the royal links didn’t end there; Meghan’s regal in-laws are officially titled The House of Windsor, the same name given to the gown. 

Coincidentally, when Meghan launched her now-defunct storefront selling clothes, shoes, accessories, and homeware she loves, the Heidi Merrick gown was one of the earliest items she listed.