Meghan Markle, 44, has once again found herself at the centre of royal food controversy after sharing what many are calling a “baffling” cream cheese bagel recipe on Instagram. The Duchess of Sussex, who has been promoting her lifestyle brand As Ever, posted a video showing herself creating a breakfast spread that included flower sprinkles priced at $15 (£11), cream cheese, strawberries, jam, and four untoasted bagel slices.

The clip, accompanied by the upbeat tune Da Do Ron Ron by The Crystals, shows Meghan scooping cream cheese onto a plate, layering it with thinly sliced strawberries and edible flower petals, before adding a dash of jam with her knife to the bagels. The post was captioned: “Strawberry! One of Oprah’s favourite things. Don’t miss out.”

Royal observers and fans were quick to criticize the Duchess’s culinary approach. Social media lit up with comments describing the recipe as amateurish, with many accusing Meghan of having “no table etiquette” and being “very inexperienced with cooking.” One commenter wrote: “What in the ever-loving fresh hell is this?! Smearing cream cheese on a plate, throwing petals on it and calling it elevated? The fruit goo looks disgusting.” Others noted that the bagels were not toasted, with one remarking: “Cream cheese and jam on a bagel is college dorm food. Except even a college kid would toast it first.”

Critics also raised concerns about hygiene and etiquette. Meghan was seen wearing rings, a bangle, and a beaded bracelet while handling food—an action widely regarded as a breach of kitchen hygiene standards. According to food safety guidelines, jewellery should be removed before food preparation to avoid contamination.

The edible flower sprinkles, which feature dried rose, calendula, blue cornflower petals, and hibiscus, are marketed as a way to add “surprise and delight” to dishes. However, for many, they only highlighted what they perceived as Meghan’s lack of basic culinary skills.

This is not Meghan’s first culinary misstep. Earlier this year, her first cooking show, set in her Montecito home, promised to “elevate the ordinary” with unique recipes. Instead, critics described her attempts as unorthodox and sometimes baffling, including a pasta dish that sparked outrage among Italian viewers. Most recently, she drew ridicule for a “mulled water” recipe, prompting one viewer to quip: “Wouldn’t you add the spices to apple cider? Not water?”

Despite the backlash, Meghan continues to share recipes and lifestyle tips, unapologetically promoting her brand while sparking fierce debate about her cooking expertise and adherence to royal etiquette. Whether fans love her inventive twists or cringe at her unorthodox methods, it seems the Duchess of Sussex is redefining what it means to mix royal life with everyday culinary experiments.

Meghan’s latest foray into breakfast fare has left royal fans scratching their heads—and possibly reconsidering their next Instagram-worthy brunch.