In a surprising turn of events, Meghan Markle has found herself at the center of controversy after a video surfaced showing her near the poignant site of Princess Diana‘s tragic death.
The Duchess of Sussex, who recently introduced a new Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand as part of her lifestyle brand, is now being accused of orchestrating a publicity stunt to coincide with her product launch.
The video, which emerged shortly before Markle headed to Paris Fashion Week, has provoked intense criticism.
Detractors claim she exploited the emotional weight of the location for her own gain.
Insiders have labeled her actions as “vile” and “desperate,” suggesting a deliberate attempt to capture public attention by filming at that sensitive site.
A Hollywood source expressed skepticism about the timing, saying it seemed too coincidental.
“Meghan’s team must have known that filming in such a significant place would generate buzz.
Tying it to a wine label named ‘bright and balanced’ just struck many as in poor taste,” the insider revealed.
It’s evident that publicity and tragedy don’t mix well, at least not in the court of public opinion.
The footage shows Markle, seemingly in a reflective mood, sitting in the back of a car near the infamous Pont de l’Alma tunnel, where Diana met her untimely end in 1997.
This clip was reportedly part of a broader “behind-the-scenes” effort to promote her wine launch.
Still, critics argue it was insensitively timed and felt more like a publicity ploy than a genuine moment of contemplation.
Markle made quite the appearance at Paris Fashion Week, donning a full Balenciaga outfit while attending a showcase for the Spring/Summer 2026 collection.
Later that evening, the video captured her near the site of Diana’s crash, which sparked the outcry against her actions.
The wine being launched, priced at $30 per bottle, is the third in her As Ever collection, which she unveiled last spring with ambitions to expand into sparkling wines and different blends.
This time, however, the introduction of the Sauvignon Blanc seemed overshadowed by the backlash stemming from the location of her video.
Curiously, the rollout for the new wine was subtle, with just a single post on Instagram announcing its availability.
The post, which welcomed back followers, accompanied a photo of the new wine alongside As Ever’s signature preserves, showcasing a seemingly festive vibe that contrasted sharply with the somber context of the video.
Despite the uproar, a representative for Markle defended her actions, asserting there was no malicious intent.
“It was a spontaneous moment captured by her team.
The narrative constructed around it is quite unfair,” they argued.
This statement attempts to clarify that Markle never meant to exploit Diana’s memory.
However, within royal circles, opinions are divided.
Some insiders argue that Markle is fully aware of the sensitivity tied to the location.
“Creating visuals there while promoting a luxury brand appears far too calculated,” noted one royal insider, suggesting that good intentions may have been lost on those observing from the outside.
Another source added that Markle is under considerable pressure to validate the success of her As Ever brand, remarking that this incident might harm that effort.
“The timing felt orchestrated — the product launch and the Paris appearance were just a bit too well-timed for it to be mere coincidence,” they emphasized.
As Meghan navigates the intricacies of her brand and her public persona, reactions to her latest move remind us
