EXCLUSIVE: Meghan Markle insists she is not perfect and that’s why her fans are so supportive of her and look the other way when things don’t go exactly as planned
Meghan Markle launched her lifestyle brand earlier this year, which consists of a website, podcast and TV show (Image: Getty Images)
Meghan Markle outsourced the production of her jam to a factory in Illinois, which is perfectly acceptable, in terms of starting a small business and in the eyes of her fans, but there are critics who disagree, saying Meghan misled her fans.
According to royal expert Pauline Maclaran, Meghan is the brand and the jam is merely a symbol of her good taste, which is why her fans continue to show their unconditional support.
Maclaran, Professor of Marketing and Consumer Research at Royal Holloway, can see how the recent revelations could create a disconnect between her and her fans, but if anything, the lapse in judgment may make the Duchess even more relatable.
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Maclaran explained: “There is no doubt that Meghan’s ventures always seem rather haphazard and fragmented, lacking professional advice, but perhaps this is the very reason fans can relate to her in that it makes her seem more vulnerable and more like them.”
She added: “However, revelations focusing on the mass marketed and industrialised nature of her products does certainly clash with the very wholesome image she is trying to project.”
Meghan’s work ethic may not match up with her momfluencer image, but her fans aren’t bothered by it, says royal expert (Image: ARCHWELL)
At first glance, it didn’t make sense why Meghan would use a factory in Illinois versus California, where she lives with Prince Harry and her their two children, but Maclaran isn’t just a royal expert, she’s also a sleuth.
According to the Royal Fever co-author, it turns out the factory is reportedly associated with Netflix.
Maclaran said: “As far as I can establish, the factory in Illinois is owned by The Republic of Tea, who are rumored to be a supplier for Netflix.”
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She added: “This would make sense because Meghan is in partnership with Netflix for her merchandising of her As Ever range.”
“Meghan would not have the manufacturing capability to supply jam on a large scale like they can and as far as I know she does not claim the jams are homemade, only that it is her recipe.”
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There are report of Meghan’s feeling duped, but Maclaran disagrees, that its far and few between.
“If anything, this type of criticism makes her fans bond more strongly and it’s only her existing detractors that are giving these ominous warnings.”
“Her fans buy into her as the brand and the items she sells are symbolic of her (good) taste and the aspirational lifestyle she promotes.”
“This is what is being bought so I don’t think the supply side over concerns them.”
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