Meghan Markle's Rosé Launch Sparks Fury
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, 2018. Photo courtesy of Northern Ireland Office under CC BY 2.0.
Meghan Markle knows how to make a splash — but her latest move may have made more waves than she intended.
On July 1, the Duchess of Sussex launched her highly anticipated rosé wine on her lifestyle site, As Ever. But the timing left royal watchers stunned: the release landed squarely on what would have been Princess Diana's 64th birthday — a day already heavy with emotion in the royal family, as Diana died in a tragic car accident that involved drunk driving.
Rosé, Royals, and Raised Eyebrows
The 2023 Napa Valley rosé, described as "sophisticated, dry, and refreshing," according to The U.S. Sun, went on sale on As Ever's new wine shop. Priced at $30 a bottle, the blush wine sold out within the hour, and Meghan's team celebrated the launch as a triumph.
But behind palace doors, the reaction was reportedly far less bubbly.
Royal expert and podcaster Kinsey Schofield told The Sun, "It's not lost on Prince William that Meghan has launched an alcohol brand on his mother's birthday, the very mum he lost in a drink driving tragedy."
A Tender Date Turned Marketing Moment
In her interview, Schofield didn't hold back. "Timing an alcohol launch to Diana's birthday wasn't just a misstep, it was borderline cruel," she said, according to The U.S. Sun, adding that William and Harry both carry deep emotional scars tied to their mother's death. Diana, famously beloved worldwide, died in 1997 after her car crashed in a Paris tunnel while being chased by paparazzi — her driver was later found to have been intoxicated.
According to Schofield, the choice of date struck a nerve not only because of Diana's birthday but also because the product was alcohol. "There are 363 other days to launch a wine or an alcohol brand. Choosing this one, even if unintentional, speaks volumes," she told The Sun.
Meghan's Connection to July 1
However, some argue that Meghan may have chosen the date intentionally — but not maliciously. July 1 also reportedly marks the day Harry first reached out to Meghan in 2016 after seeing her photo on Instagram.
Still, critics argue that the symbolism was overshadowed by the commercial nature of the launch — and the fact that it involved alcohol.
It Felt Like a Betrayal
According to The U.S. Sun, Schofield added that, to some inside the royal household, it seems "Meghan has spent years framing herself as the spiritual successor to Diana." According to one source Schofield spoke to, Meghan allegedly once told Prince Harry that "Diana spoke to her during her yoga session" — a comment that reportedly raised eyebrows at the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
"I feel like Meghan has hijacked or attempted to hijack this woman's legacy, to the point where Meghan is so important that Diana is speaking to her from the other side of the yoga mat," Schofield added, as reported by The U.S. Sun.
A Delicate Spot for William and Harry
While William and Catherine have reportedly grown adept at ignoring Meghan and Harry's public projects, anything connected to Diana remains a "tender spot," according to Schofield's palace source, as reported by The U.S. Sun. "As Meghan is doing victory laps around the kitchen, excited for this launch, Harry is still thinking about the mother he lost, the mother that he loved, the mother that he talks to us about constantly," Schofield explained.
Yet, according to The U.S. Sun, some within the palace hope that Meghan and Harry's business success will eventually reduce their media criticism of the royal family. "If they're secure and financially stable, maybe the public criticism towards the Palace and media outbursts will subside," Schofield noted.
A Toast or a Faux Pas?
According to The U.S. Sun, the rosé itself — an "As Ever blend" of Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvèdre, Grenache, and Syrah — was described on the website as "designed for summer's best moments – from lunches that turn into dinners and sun-drenched weekends where the only thing louder than the music is the laughter." It's the first in what Meghan's team promises will be a full line of wines, including a sparkling variety set to launch later this year.
For her supporters, the sold-out launch is proof of her star power and entrepreneurial spirit. For her critics, it's yet another example of tone-deaf timing and brand-building at the expense of royal sentiment.
Either way, Meghan Markle ensured her new venture made headlines — even if not all of them were flattering.
References: 'Cruel' Meghan launching her rosé on Diana's birthday is scheme to hijack Harry's mum's legacy, expert slams | Meghan Markle 'Struck a Nerve' With Her Latest Move on Princess Diana's Birthday, Claims Expert | Prince Harry is sent subtle message from Meghan Markle in latest move
