Meghan Markle's Cookie Controversy: A Recipe for Royal Rage

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the celebrity and royal-watching world, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has found herself at the epicentre of a fresh storm of controversy. The latest debacle? A humble batch of cookies, sent as part of her burgeoning new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, that has been decried by critics as "disgusting," "tacky," and a cynical display of hypocrisy.

The culinary confection, revealed to the public via an Instagram post by Argentinian polo player Nacho Figueras' wife, Delfina Blaquier, was seemingly intended as a sweet gesture.

However, the online sphere quickly soured, with royal commentators and social media users alike unleashing a torrent of criticism. The prevailing sentiment is that these aren't just cookies; they're a calculated PR gambit, designed to propel the Duchess's new commercial venture, rather than a genuine act of friendship.

Leading the charge of condemnation is royal expert Kinsey Schofield, who minced no words in branding the entire affair "disgusting" and "desperate." Schofield's scathing critique hinges on the perceived shift in Meghan's public persona: from someone who once claimed to eschew the celebrity limelight and yearned for privacy, to an individual seemingly embracing every facet of commercial self-promotion.

"This is not about genuinely connecting with people," Schofield reportedly stated, "it's about the bottom line, about pushing a product."

Adding fuel to the fire, veteran royal biographer Angela Levin echoed the sentiment of strategic maneuvering, labelling Meghan "calculating" and pointing squarely to the glaring hypocrisy.

Levin and others have highlighted Meghan's past grievances about the "circus" of royal life and her subsequent move to California, purportedly for a quieter, more private existence. Yet, her actions now—meticulously curated social media posts promoting her brand, selectively gifting products to influencers—paint a starkly different picture, one of active engagement in the very celebrity culture she once appeared to disdain.

The "cookie-gate" incident underscores a persistent narrative surrounding the Duchess: a perception of inauthenticity and a willingness to leverage her public profile for personal gain, even at the expense of her previously articulated values.

As the flour dust settles, one thing remains clear: Meghan Markle's every move continues to be scrutinized under the harshest of spotlights, and for many, her latest sweet endeavour has left a decidedly bitter taste.