Meghan Markle has come under fire after choosing July 1 — the late Princess Diana’s birthday — to launch her new rosé wine under her lifestyle brand, As Ever. Critics, including royal commentators and media hosts, have labeled the move “bad taste,” citing the tragic circumstances surrounding Diana’s death.
The controversy was brought into the spotlight during a segment on GB News, where host Ben Leo and his guest discussed the timing of the launch, expressing strong disapproval. The guest, whose name was not disclosed in the segment, pointed to the symbolic significance of the date, arguing that Markle’s choice was not accidental.
“If you’re not a fan of Meghan Markle, you might want to bury your head under a pillow for a week,” the guest remarked. “This is no coincidence.” “This is the day she’s chosen to launch her rosé,” she continued. “Nothing’s ever really a coincidence with Meghan. And already there’s a little bit of controversy because, we all know how Diana died — there was a drunk driver behind the wheel in Paris.”
“Now she’s releasing an alcohol brand on Diana’s 64th birthday. So that’s incredible to me. It feels like it’s in bad taste.” Princess Diana tragically died in a car crash in Paris in 1997. The accident, which also claimed the lives of her companion Dodi Fayed and driver Henri Paul, was later found to involve excessive speed and alcohol consumption on the part of the driver.
Critics of the Duchess of Sussex argue that launching an alcohol product on such a symbolic day feels jarring and inappropriate, particularly given the role that alcohol played in the princess’s untimely death. Host Ben Leo echoed the guest’s sentiment, adding, “You’ll get a nice picture of the Waleses, William, Kate, the kids, and hours later, boom, Meghan releases her own.
It’s happened too many times. It’s not a coincidence. This… It’s a bit chilling and a bit weird.” While the Duchess has not commented publicly on the date selection, supporters of Meghan Markle argue that July 1 may have been chosen to honor Diana’s legacy, perhaps even as a tribute.
However, detractors remain unconvinced, framing the move as another example of perceived insensitivity and headline-seeking behavior. As As Ever continues to expand, the rosé’s controversial launch date has reignited tensions between Meghan and her critics, once again putting her actions under the microscope of royal watchers and the media alike.