Meghan Markle Faces Backlash As Her Handling Raw Thanksgiving Turkey Raises Hygiene Concerns

Meghan Markle has sparked online criticism for two recent kitchen moments. The duchess was seen seasoning a raw turkey without removing rings or bracelets, raising hygiene concerns.

Earlier, she had suggested serving children yogurt parfaits in fragile coupe glasses, which also viewers deemed unsafe.

Meanwhile, Meghan Markle recently raised eyebrows after appearing in a $1,695 dress from a 2022 photoshoot, with some sources saying she took the outfit without asking, a claim her team has denied.

Meghan is getting into the Thanksgiving spirit, but a recent kitchen clip left some viewers cringing over a major hygiene misstep.

In a video shared on Instagram, the Duchess of Sussex, 44, was seen seasoning a raw turkey with a blend of spices. Though she washed her hands afterward, many noticed she never removed her rings or bracelets while handling the uncooked poultry, a detail that sparked a wave of concern in the comments.

"I don't know anyone who wears their rings and bracelets when handling food, especially a turkey. Guaranteed spread of bacteria," one user wrote, per the Daily Mail.

Others echoed the sentiment, questioning why she'd risk germs getting trapped beneath her rings or contaminating anything she touched next, including the pepper grinder.

A commenter even shared a cautionary tale, writing: "My mom learned that lesson. She had to have her wedding and anniversary rings cut off her fingers because of the infection. The doctors told her all it takes is one small scratch. I always take off my rings and any other jewelry I am wearing on my hands when I'm in the kitchen."

Earlier in the week, Meghan drew criticism for recommending that kids eat yogurt parfaits out of delicate coupe glasses.

Although she presented the parfait beautifully with yogurt, jam, fruit, and a drizzle of her As Ever honey, viewers feared the fragile glassware could easily break and injure a child.

They were quick to point out the safety risk, with a person joking, "I'm not a duchess, but I would not put children's yogurt parfaits in delicate, breakable glasses unless you have a masochistic need to step on crystal shards."

Others agreed the choice was impractical, noting that delicate stemware is better suited for a ladies' brunch than a group of school-aged kids.

Some recommended swapping the glass for "Tupperware or soft plastic," while others criticized the attempt to appear relatable.

Amid the kitchen chatter, Meghan's team is also pushing back against reports that she improperly kept a gown from a 2022 Variety photo shoot.

The rumor resurfaced after she wore the same $1,695 one-shoulder green Galvan "Ushuaia" dress in new promotional material for her Netflix holiday special, "With Love, Meghan."

In response, her spokesperson firmly denied the rumors, calling them "categorically false" and "highly defamatory."

They added that any items Meghan retained were done "in total transparency and in accordance with contractual arrangements."

Industry insiders defended Meghan, noting that there's nothing unusual about the U.S.-based royal keeping the gown.

According to the insider, it's standard practice for high-profile talent to retain certain pieces from photo shoots, often for security reasons, including preventing items from being resold or ending up in unauthorized auctions.

The source added that clothing worn by royals and other public figures is frequently targeted by collectors, so allowing talent to keep select items is both common and protective.

The renewed scrutiny follows earlier claims by Vanity Fair journalist Vanessa Grigoriadis, who alleged on Andrew Gold's "Heretics" podcast that Meghan took "a lot of stuff" after stepping back from royal duties, items she had worn during high-profile shoots.

Grigoriadis questioned why someone living in a multimillion-dollar Montecito home with major media deals would bother taking clothing or jewelry she "can clearly afford."

Meghan, however, has spoken about her intention behind her fashion choices. During an April appearance on the "Jamie Kern Lima Show" podcast, she explained that she often wore pieces from smaller, ethically minded brands, especially those founded by women.

According to the Duchess, it felt "really great when, specifically, it can help uplift brands that have a great ethos and female founders" when she wasn't speaking publicly.