Meghan Markle Reportedly 'Devastated' By Backlash Over Her Thanksgiving Turkey Prep Video

Meghan Markle faced online criticism for her Thanksgiving turkey prep, with viewers flagging her lack of gloves and jewelry as hygiene concerns.

According to reports, the backlash has left the U.S.-based royal "devastated" as her every action tends to get criticized.

Meanwhile, she and Prince Harry have been accused of hypocrisy over their lucrative Netflix and Spotify deals, despite Archewell's report promoting role models who are not "driven by profit."

Meghan's Thanksgiving preparations unexpectedly sparked a wave of online criticism, this time over her kitchen habits.

The Duchess of Sussex shared an Instagram Story showing herself preparing a turkey, but viewers quickly fixated on the fact that she wasn't wearing gloves while handling the meat.

Social media users also noted her gold ring and bracelet as potential hygiene concerns.

According to insider reports cited by columnist Rob Shuter, Meghan didn't anticipate that a simple cooking clip would trigger such backlash.

She was reportedly "devastated," as the video was intended to show a relatable, domestic side of her life. Sources say the 44-year-old felt "humiliated and blindsided," frustrated by what seemed like relentless criticism no matter her actions.

Last month, Meghan faced backlash again over her kitchen choices, this time for her suggestion to serve yogurt to children in a delicate glass dish. She had set up a breakfast station featuring a yogurt parfait, carefully layered in a vintage-style coupe glass.

She topped it with her As Ever honey, jam, yogurt, and fresh fruit, explaining, "You could do a yogurt parfait in a normal bowl, or you could just make it a little bit more special."

She added, "All of this is great for kids," while presenting the elegant setup.

However, some viewers were alarmed at the idea of giving children such fragile glassware, warning that it could easily break and cause injuries to anyone nearby.

Meanwhile, Meghan and Harry have faced accusations of hypocrisy regarding their financial ventures. A pro-Sussex source pointed out that the couple "have to make money" to support themselves, unlike their royal relatives in Britain.

This defense comes in light of an Archewell Foundation report revealing that young people globally want role models who aren't "driven by profit."

The report also criticized "inauthentic" online influencers, emphasizing that "true leadership is not about money or followers."

Critics have pointed to the couple's lucrative deals with Netflix and Spotify since 2020, worth an estimated $120 million (£90 million), as contradictory to this ethos.

Meghan has also used her Instagram to promote her Netflix projects and her As Ever lifestyle brand, though she insists she is not an influencer, describing herself as "an entrepreneur and a female founder."

These ventures, along with speaking engagements and other business opportunities, enabled the Sussexes to purchase a $14 million Montecito mansion for their family.

Amid the criticism, a Sussex insider emphasized that financial independence is essential outside the royal institution.

"That they have to make money is a moot point," the source said pointedly, per Daily Mail. "We all do, unless you're a member of the institution."

They added that the couple's financial independence has allowed them to donate substantial sums to charity, far beyond what an "ordinary Joe" could manage over the past five years.

The source described Harry and Meghan as a global, "activist-driven brand" since Megxit, pursuing profits in order to fund their philanthropic efforts.

Newsweek noted that the Sussexes' "pivot to authenticity" leaves the Sussexes vulnerable to claims of hypocrisy.

Chief Royal Correspondent Jack Royston wrote that while the Archewell report findings are compelling, they contrast sharply with the couple's first five years in the U.S., which saw them sign multimillion-dollar content deals.

He said: "The findings are striking but make difficult reading alongside the facts of the first five years of Harry and Meghan's US lives, which saw them sign multimillion-dollar deals for content creation."

Despite this, the Sussex camp has defended the couple's right to earn money, stressing that the duke and duchess need to do so to survive, unlike other royals.