Buckingham Palace Shades Meghan Markle In Latest Jam Ad, Netizens Claim
Buckingham Palace Shop promoted its strawberry jam on social media, but many felt its new campaign was a subtle dig at Meghan Markle.
In the new clip posted on Instagram, the shop shared four ways to enjoy its Strawberry Preserve -- on a scone as part of a cream tea, on a crumpet, with a croissant and on toast. It also mentioned that the product was "made using only the finest berries and is delicious served in a variety of ways."
The ad quickly received several responses, with many seemingly laughing because they felt it was a shade at Markle. The Duchess of Sussex recently launched the first product of her personal brand, American Riviera Orchard -- a collection of jams. She even reportedly sent 50 jars to her celebrity pals and some influencers, including Abigail Spencer, Tracy Robbins, Mindy Kaling and Chrissy Teigen.
"Is it just me that loves the subtle shade?" one commented on the shop's post with a grinning and squinting face emoji and a smiling face with sunglasses emoji.
Another added, "Wait! Did the Palace just subtly troll Ms. Montecito?! [face with tears of joy emoji]."
"Epic shade!" a third person said.
"The label doesn't seem to be falling off. Imagine that," another said, seemingly shading Markle as they noticed that the label of her jam easily peeled off.
"Well played, social media team [raising hands emoji]," a different user wrote, commending the people behind the ad.
"The Empire strikes back. (Sorry, someone has to bring that one on," another remarked.
"I'm dying at the timings of this ad," a different user wrote with multiple face with tears of joy emojis.
"Oh my -- the war on Insta-jam has begun," another commenter said.
"Well I'm in the US and I will ship this Jam over as my first choice #buckinghampalace," a royal supporter added.
While many supported the Buckingham Palace Shop, some also defended the Sussexes.
"I will enjoy the Duchess of Suxxes' jam before your [mass-produced] slight on her. You show your true colors. I use[d] to respect the Royal Family and know (sic) no longer do," one Sussex fan wrote.
"Do the royal family hate Harry, Meghan, and their kids so much that they don't want them to earn extra income for themselves? At least it isn't a book, you know, so you could at least let them do this. ....Normal, healthy relationships uplift families no matter what their past sins are. Toxic family tear them down," another commented.
Michael Cole, a former BBC journalist and royal correspondent, weighed in on Markle's newest business venture. When asked if her jam would "catch on" along with her lifestyle brand, he said if it was good, people would buy it.
"People will sign up for it. I hope the jam tastes nice, not too sugary. If it's good, then it will sell," Cole said. "But it really is quite a step down from the pedestal they were once on."
