Meghan Markle’s recent pivot from women’s rights advocate to lifestyle entrepreneur has drawn sharp criticism, culminating in a controversial Channel 5 documentary titled Meghan: Duchess For Sale? The July 6th release scrutinizes the Duchess of Sussex’s commercial ventures, including her Netflix series With Love, Meghan, and her new brand American Riviera Orchard, with royal commentators questioning the authenticity of her transformation.
Royal correspondent Jack Royston didn’t hold back in the documentary, mocking what he called Meghan’s “big rebrand.” “All of a sudden, she went from being the feminist who got angry that women were depicted as only being in the kitchen, and then she reinvented herself as the traditional, at-home, in-the-kitchen cooking and hosting kind of image,” he said.
Brand culture expert Nick Ede echoed this sentiment, comparing Meghan’s new direction to domestic icon Martha Stewart. “With Love, Meghan, is Meghan being the new Martha Stewart?” Ede told the Daily Mail. “She loves home, she loves entertaining, and she wants to show people how to elevate everyday situations by offering them lifestyle advice, showing them how to cook different meals, and interviewing people that she finds interesting along the way.”
The critique stems from Meghan’s earlier, outspoken feminist advocacy. Before marrying Prince Harry, she delivered speeches at UN Women events and the 20th anniversary of the Beijing women’s conference, famously declaring, “I am proud to be a woman and a feminist.”
Her shift toward domestic content—particularly after years of challenging traditional gender roles—has left some supporters disillusioned. Critics argue the rebrand leans into the very stereotypes she once opposed, while supporters counter that her evolution reflects personal growth rather than contradiction.
As the documentary fuels debate, Meghan’s ventures continue to blur the line between activism and commerce, leaving audiences to decide: Is this a natural progression or a calculated pivot? With American Riviera Orchard poised to launch and Netflix content in the works, the Duchess’s next moves will likely keep this conversation alive.