Duchess faces backlash for influencer-style pivot as Prince Harry deals with Sentebale controversy
Meghan Markle has left royal watchers stunned with a dramatic shift in focus, moving from her previously praised activism to a more commercial, influencer-like image—just as Prince Harry faces mounting pressure over his exit from his long-cherished charity, Sentebale.
Once widely seen as a champion for social causes, the Duchess of Sussex is now promoting fashion content through an online platform that details her personal wardrobe while generating income through affiliate links. The move has drawn strong criticism from royal insiders and media experts alike.
“We’re witnessing the collapse of the Meghan-as-humanitarian narrative,” a royal source told Express.co.uk. “You can’t advocate for dismantling institutions and women’s rights, then pivot into influencer-style brand placements and monetising your personal taste.”
PR expert Chad Teixeira echoed the sentiment, saying, “She’s gone from delivering speeches on global issues to offering discount codes for blazers. It feels like the final nail in the coffin for the ‘serious thought leader’ image.”
The shift comes as Prince Harry continues to face backlash following his resignation from Sentebale, the charity he co-founded in 2006 in memory of Princess Diana. The organisation’s chair, Dr. Sophie Chandauka, has accused Harry of “bullying at scale,” intensifying scrutiny on the couple’s public roles.
As Meghan leans into lifestyle branding and Harry navigates controversy, critics question whether the Sussexes are moving away from the philanthropic values they once championed.
