Meghan Markle's Wine Launch On Princess Diana's Birthday Slammed As 'Borderline Cruel'

Meghan Markle is facing backlash for launching her rosé wine on Princess Diana's birthday, a move critics call insensitive.

Despite controversy, the wine quickly sold out, just like the Duchess of Sussex's other luxurious lifestyle products she has released in the last few months.

Meanwhile, tensions between Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, and the royal family continue to escalate, amid reports that Prince William will make bold decisions regarding the Montecito-based royals and their children when he becomes king.

Royal expert Kinsey Schofield has strongly criticized Meghan for the timing of her latest business move: releasing a new rosé wine on what would have been Princess Diana's birthday.

Speaking to The Sun, Schofield said the launch "struck a very specific nerve," particularly with Prince William, given the emotional significance of the date.

According to a royal source cited by Schofield, the coincidence did not go unnoticed by the royal family.

"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," the expert said.

Schofield didn't hold back, calling the decision not only tone-deaf but almost cruel, adding, "Timing an alcohol launch to Diana's birthday wasn't just a misstep, it was borderline cruel."

She continued: "To claim ignorance here doesn't hold up-it wasn't just insensitive. It felt like a betrayal of the very narrative she's working so hard to craft."

Despite the backlash, the $30-per-bottle wine reportedly sold out within an hour of its launch on her lifestyle site.

The criticism comes as Meghan pushes forward with her lifestyle brand, As Ever, unveiling a new venture into wine.

In a press release, Meghan's camp framed the latest product, a 2023 Napa Valley rosé, as "light, fresh, and effortlessly celebratory."

"This debut rosé marks the beginning of As Ever's thoughtful expansion into wine, with a Méthode Champenoise Napa Valley sparkling wine planned for the near future and additional varietals to follow," the statement read.

The release also emphasized the wine's intended vibe, adding: "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."

This new launch joins an already eclectic As Ever lineup, which features crepe and shortbread mixes, apricot spread in keepsake packaging, orange blossom honey, and various teas.

As of Tuesday morning, all products on the site were sold out, accompanied by the note: "More coming soon."

Despite the resounding success of Meghan's brand, royal experts believe the former "Suits" actress's business venture is primarily driven by a desire for "fame and fortune" and her quest to be recognized as a royal entrepreneur with a booming business empire.

"Of course, her royal title and Sussex name are boosting her brand," British broadcaster Helena Chard told Fox News.

"She will cling to this as it will help bring her [more] fame and fortune, which is imperative to her life. She will keep her fingers in many pies and her name in lights with the hope that one or more of her ideas will bring in the much-needed hard cash," Chard continued.

"However, she is not likely to amass her fortune from the sales of basic As Ever treats, however delicious they may be," Chard added.

Helena Chard's comment seems to echo previous sentiments from royal expert Valentine Low's 2023 book, "Courtiers," which surfaced online recently.

The author claimed Meghan and Harry left their royal roles because they wanted the "freedom to make money and dip their toes into politics."

He also claimed the former actress was eager to "earn money for herself," which reportedly influenced the couple's decision to make their royal exit.

Meghan and Harry stepped back from their royal roles and relocated abroad in 2020. At the time, they claimed that the British media had seemingly intruded on their private lives, which was further exacerbated by an alleged lack of support from the royal family.

As speculation grows over a possible return of Harry and Meghan's children to royal life when they are older, sources suggest that William would firmly oppose any such move.

The Prince of Wales, heir to the throne, is reportedly not in favor of Archie or Lilibet taking on royal roles in the future, despite Harry's alleged wish that his kids would have the choice.

According to The Daily Beast's Tom Sykes, a source close to William said, "William obviously isn't going to hire Archie and Lilibet. This is just trolling on the part of Harry and Meghan."

Royal expert Richard Eden also weighed in via The Daily Mail, noting that discussions around Archie and Lilibet's titles could form part of a broader plan to streamline the monarchy.

"From what I am told, the removal of Archie and Lilibet's HRHs could be part of a wider 'slimming down' of the Monarchy when William becomes king," Eden stated.