Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, faced online criticism after posting a promotional Instagram video for her As Ever jam brand on May 25 [1].
The reaction highlights the ongoing polarization surrounding the Duchess's commercial ventures and her transition from professional acting to lifestyle branding. This specific backlash centers on the perceived quality and tone of the marketing content.
Sky News Australia reported that the video prompted a wave of negative reactions from viewers. Gabriella Power, a digital presenter for Sky News, said there has been a bit of backlash online, noting that such reactions typically occur when the Duchess posts content, particularly regarding her husband [2].
Critics on social media and entertainment platforms described the video as "cringe" and compared it to a self-indulgent acting audition reel [3, 4]. Some viewers specifically targeted the production quality, citing poor audio as a primary issue [3, 5].
Online reactions extended to the Duchess's performance in the clip. Some royal critics described her as a terrible actress in reports following the video's release [3]. Other commenters labeled her a jam addict based on the promotional material [6].
The promotional campaign for As Ever continues to generate discussion across digital platforms, though the Duchess has not issued a formal response to the specific critiques regarding the video's production or acting style [2, 4].
“"There’s been a bit of backlash online, there always is when she posts really anything particularly to do with her husband."”
The backlash reflects a recurring pattern where the Duchess of Sussex's attempts to build a commercial brand are met with intense scrutiny of her public persona. By blending lifestyle marketing with performance, the As Ever campaign has reignited debates over her professional background and her ability to connect with a broad audience without triggering critical reactions from royal detractors.
