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I really do fear that Meghan Markle's latest move has doomed her. The Duchess of Sussex last week released a $64 (£48) candle modelled after her own eighth anniversary with Prince Harry – and it smells like "warm sunshine and blue skies". The anniversary candle, which celebrates the royal couple's "love story", charges fans for the olfactory pleasure of sampling their own wedding ceremony – but the price is certainly nothing to sniff at.
I'd say this sort of thing might fly in America, except Netflix already proved that it doesn't. The streaming giant already saw sense and split from Meghan's brand As Ever, refusing to stock her merchandise. This kind of selfishness definitely isn't going to go unnoticed in the UK if Meghan is indeed itching for a return with Harry – especially considering the scrutiny she's already under.
I'm just not sure why Meghan has deluded herself into thinking candles based on her life events are something the public craves.
Her other offerings – a ginger, neroli and cashmere candle to celebrate Archie's birthday; amber, water lily and santal for Lilibet's; and a water lotus, sandalwood and California poppy scent that marks her own birthday – are equally offensive.
Paying $64 to celebrate someone else's birthday is just what I wanted, thanks Megs!
Just this morning I watched a video of Princess Diana breaking royal protocol and competing in a mum's race at Harry's sports day in a long skirt. She ducked under the railings and jogged over to join, and it just struck me as such a selfless, maternal thing to do.
Compare that to Meghan's constant promoting of products with remarkably high price tags, and the difference between the two is stark. There's an obvious reason the Duchess of Sussex is never going to be the people's princess. Unless Meghan quickly learns a lesson in humility, I don't think there is a chance that the UK public will welcome either her or Harry back into the Royal Family.