The Daily Mail article reports on the backlash Meghan Markle received after promoting her new As Ever Christmas collection in a short Instagram video. In the clip, the Duchess of Sussex is seen assembling holiday gifts — including a candle, champagne, and a mulled spice kit — while dressed in a brown silk gown and surrounded by neutral-toned holiday décor. The aesthetic drew immediate criticism online, where social media users labeled the video “beige,” “bland,” and “depressing,” arguing that it lacked the color and festivity typically associated with the Christmas season.
The article emphasizes that Meghan’s promo sparked renewed commentary because of her past remarks about wearing muted colors while living in the Royal Family. In her 2022 Netflix docuseries with Prince Harry, she explained that she had chosen beige, camel, and white during royal events so as not to overshadow more senior members of the family or clash with Queen Elizabeth II. Critics observing the new promotional video remarked on the similarity, suggesting she had returned to the same muted palette despite having previously framed it as restrictive.
The article includes several quotes from users on X criticizing the video’s color scheme. Some viewers expressed disappointment that the aesthetic did not reflect holiday cheer, while others noted the contrast between the neutral visuals and Meghan’s earlier complaints about being required to tone down her style during her time as a working royal.
Beyond the promo backlash, the piece places Meghan’s lifestyle branding efforts within the broader context of her current career trajectory. Alongside promoting As Ever, she is filming Close Personal Friends, her first acting project since leaving the television series Suits in 2017. The film features several high-profile actors, including Lily Collins, Brie Larson, and Jack Quaid. The article states that industry chatter has increased around Meghan’s return to acting, particularly given the end of the Sussexes’ Netflix deal in September. While the article notes that Netflix’s CEO reportedly still holds Meghan in high regard, it suggests that some in Hollywood see her creative ventures as part of a broader attempt to build alliances in the entertainment world — including proximity to Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, whose home she recently visited for Kris Jenner’s 70th birthday celebration.
The article briefly revisits Meghan’s long-reported struggle with public perception, positioning the backlash to the Christmas promo as part of a recurring pattern in which her aesthetic or branding choices invite strong reactions online. Screenshots, comments, and comparisons reinforce the idea that viewers remain sharply divided about her public image and creative decisions.
In closing, the Daily Mail frames the situation as a continuation of ongoing scrutiny surrounding the Duchess’s endeavors, particularly those involving lifestyle branding and visual presentation. While the As Ever collection itself is only briefly described, the reaction to its promotional tone becomes the central focus — serving as another example of the polarized, highly reactive attention that follows Meghan’s public appearances and creative projects.
