Meghan Markle faces backlash for lack of clear branding, accused of chasing cash without direction.

Meghan Markle is facing renewed criticism over the direction—or lack thereof—of her personal brand. Royal commentator Nick Ede has torn into the Duchess of Sussex, accusing her of lacking originality, consistency, and clear expertise in any of the sectors she’s been exploring.

Speaking to The Sun, Ede didn’t mince his words when assessing Meghan’s scattered attempts to build a lifestyle empire. “Meghan hasn’t really earned her stripes yet,” he said bluntly. “She’s not the fashionista yet, she’s not the cook yet, she’s not the make-up expert yet.”

According to Ede, Meghan’s ventures don’t show any signs of deep knowledge or commitment. “Nothing feels particularly rounded in actual knowledge,” he explained. “So people begin to turn off.”

From podcast experiments to product launches and documentary deals, Meghan’s post-royal branding journey has been anything but linear. Though she’s enjoyed significant media buzz—and lucrative contracts with the likes of Spotify, Netflix, and now her own American Riviera Orchard lifestyle label—the branding, says Ede, feels more like a collection of impulses than a focused vision.

“Everything feels like a scattergun approach,” he noted. “Nothing seems thought out or strategised.”

The critique hits at the heart of a common criticism surrounding the Sussexes’ post-palace ambitions: that they’re chasing commercial opportunities without building a strong or credible foundation.

“She and Harry seem to think, ‘Yes, I’ll take the money, and work out what to do afterwards,’” said Ede, pointing to what he sees as a reactive rather than proactive strategy from the couple.

Meghan’s latest brand, American Riviera Orchard, which launched with minimal detail and a vaguely vintage Instagram aesthetic, left fans curious—but many industry insiders unconvinced. The brand has yet to roll out any products to the public, though pre-release baskets of jam sent to celebrity friends recently sparked headlines.

Critics say these teases only add to the perception that Meghan is prioritising image over substance.

Ede’s remarks echo what some observers have long suspected: that Meghan Markle’s brand story remains underdeveloped. For someone who once captivated global audiences as a modern royal figure, the failure to translate that momentum into a coherent business identity continues to puzzle.

The Duchess, however, maintains a strong base of loyal supporters who argue she’s simply exploring her interests at her own pace. Supporters believe Meghan is using her platform to build something fresh—free from palace constraints—but admit the brand needs stronger definition and focus if it’s to thrive long-term.

Still, with public opinion deeply divided and media scrutiny ever-present, Meghan faces a tough balancing act. As her ventures move forward, observers will be watching closely to see whether she can silence critics like Ede—and finally shape a brand that matches the global profile she already holds.

For now, though, the verdict from the royal commentary circuit remains the same: Meghan Markle may have star power, but in the branding world, she’s still got a lot to prove.