Meghan Markle is facing fresh scrutiny after reviving a decade-old interview in which she suggested selling candles for more than $100 would contradict her “accessible to all” philosophy. The clip has attracted the attention of many who argue that she is uncomfortable with her current range of products, and has sparked fresh debate about the Duchess’ public image and brand messaging.Filmed at the Create and Cultivate conference in Atlanta in October 2016, the video shows Meghan promoting her now-defunct lifestyle blog shortly after her relationship with Prince Harry went public. “There are no $100 candles on my website – it’s so disgusting,” she said at the time. “I just want the things you can have there. And I want people who understand that ethos.I’ve always worked as an ‘aspirational girl next door’, so you can aspire to it, but you can totally get it.”
How much are Meghan Markle’s luxury candles really worth?
According to a report by the Express, Meghan’s website sells a range of luxury scented candles alongside her $12 strawberry and raspberry pop jars. Her individual candles start at $64 each. The creation is a candle scented with Moroccan mint, cardamom and tea leaves, another with amber, water lily and sandalwood notes, and a third with hints of ginger, neroli and cashmere.Shoppers can also purchase a set of two candles with matches for $128, and another pair is available for the same price. A box of four candles and matches is available for $256, and there is no maximum discount to purchase.
How people have reacted online
The revived clip has received sharp responses online. “Ironically, he’s now selling candles on his website for over $100. That way your words can backfire,” one person wrote. “This is a really good brand for her,” added another, while a third said she would “be happy to buy them for Princess Catherine.”However, many defenders have pushed back against the comparisons. Supporters pointed out that the individual prices of the candles are below the $100 that Meghan originally mentioned, and that inflation since 2016 has driven up the prices of consumer goods. “The 2016 clip criticized candles over $100 as ‘disgusting’ in a different economic climate, but the price of a single candle today is below that threshold of $64,” one supporter argued.Others pointed to comparable luxury brands as context, and one fan pointed out that high-end candle brands sell for $540. “Y’all really need to stop talking about Meghan’s $64 just making you look stupid,” one fan wrote, while another added: “The price is very reasonable compared to other quality candles. They’re not chain candles meant to be cheap.”The controversy reflects the broader scrutiny that often follows any new move by Markle in the public sphere, with her words and actions from years past often held up against her current choices.
