Meghan Markle Faces Renewed Scrutiny After Old Comments About “Obnoxious” Luxury Candles Resurface
A decade-old interview featuring Meghan Markle has unexpectedly returned to the spotlight, reigniting debate over how dramatically her lifestyle brand has evolved since her pre-royal days.
The resurfaced footage, recorded years before she became the Duchess of Sussex, captures a very different Meghan—one focused on creating an accessible lifestyle platform for everyday consumers. In the interview, she spoke passionately about affordability, authenticity, and her desire to avoid the exclusivity often associated with luxury lifestyle brands.
Now, critics have pointed to those comments after the launch of her latest As Ever candle collection, arguing that her current products appear to contradict the philosophy she once championed.
The renewed attention has sparked widespread discussion online, with supporters defending Meghan’s right to grow her business in new directions while detractors accuse her of abandoning the values she previously promoted.
A Remark That Refuses to Disappear
The controversy centers around comments Meghan made in October 2016 while appearing at a Create & Cultivate conference in Atlanta.
At the time, she was best known as an actress on the legal drama Suits and as the founder of her lifestyle blog, The Tig. She had not yet become engaged to Prince Harry, and her future role within the British Royal Family remained unknown to the public.
Speaking enthusiastically about the blog she had built, Meghan explained that she wanted The Tig to be relatable and accessible.
She emphasized that the platform was designed around what she described as an “aspirational but attainable” lifestyle. Rather than promoting ultra-luxury products, she wanted readers to feel they could realistically enjoy the recommendations she shared.
One comment in particular has now drawn fresh attention.
“There are no $100 candles on my site—that’s so obnoxious,” Meghan told the audience, drawing laughter and applause.
She went on to explain that she wanted people to feel included rather than excluded by the products she featured.
“I just want things on there that you can have,” she said, stressing that affordability was central to the brand’s identity.
At the time, the statement reflected a philosophy that many of her followers found appealing. Meghan positioned herself as a modern lifestyle influencer whose recommendations felt within reach of ordinary consumers rather than reserved for the wealthy elite.
The Rise and Fall of The Tig
Back in 2016, Meghan appeared ambitious about the future of The Tig.
During the conference appearance, she described the platform as her “baby” and revealed plans to expand its reach significantly.
She explained that she deliberately chose not to build a website centered entirely around her own name.
“I didn’t want MeghanMarkle.com,” she said. “I wanted it to become a community.”
The actress envisioned a growing network where readers could find inspiration, travel recommendations, food ideas, fashion advice, and conversations about meaningful life experiences.
Friends close to Meghan at the time reportedly believed the website could eventually become a major lifestyle brand comparable to those created by some of America’s most successful entrepreneurs.
However, those plans changed dramatically.
As her relationship with Prince Harry became increasingly serious, Meghan faced growing public attention and media scrutiny. In 2017, shortly before announcing their engagement, she shut down The Tig entirely.
For years afterward, the project appeared to be permanently retired.
A Return to Lifestyle Entrepreneurship
Fast forward nearly a decade, and Meghan has returned to the world of lifestyle branding through As Ever, a business that reflects many of the interests she explored during her blogging years.
The company offers products including fruit preserves, teas, honey, decorative toppings, and candles inspired by her personal experiences and family life.
According to promotional materials, several items were developed using recipes, scents, and traditions that hold special significance for Meghan and her family.
The candle collection, in particular, has become a major talking point.
The As Ever Signature Scent Collection is priced at approximately $256 (£190), significantly higher than the $100 threshold Meghan once described as excessive.
The luxury set features multiple fragrances reportedly inspired by meaningful moments in her life, including memories connected to Prince Harry, Prince Archie, Princess Lilibet, and the couple’s 2018 wedding.
The company describes the collection as a premium sensory experience designed for discerning customers who appreciate sophisticated fragrances and elegant presentation.
Critics Point to Contradiction
As clips of Meghan’s 2016 comments began circulating online, critics were quick to highlight what they viewed as an inconsistency.
Many social media users shared side-by-side comparisons between the old interview and the current As Ever product listings.
Some argued that the contrast was difficult to ignore.
One commentator wrote that the situation demonstrated how public figures can sometimes be confronted by their own past statements years later.
Others questioned whether the values Meghan once promoted had changed as her personal circumstances evolved.
The debate intensified because luxury candles have become one of the most recognizable symbols of high-end lifestyle branding.
To some observers, the candle collection represented precisely the type of product Meghan had previously mocked.
Supporters Offer a Different Perspective
However, supporters of the Duchess argue that the criticism oversimplifies the situation.
They note that the Signature Scent Collection is a multi-candle set rather than a single product and that individual candles are available at a considerably lower price point.
Defenders also point out that nearly ten years have passed since the original interview.
During that time, Meghan’s life has changed dramatically. She has become a member of the Royal Family, moved across continents, built a family, launched media ventures, and developed a business aimed at a different audience than The Tig originally served.
Many supporters argue that entrepreneurs frequently evolve their strategies as markets change.
They also note that luxury lifestyle products are common among celebrity-founded brands and do not necessarily invalidate previous beliefs about accessibility.
Some fans suggest Meghan’s original criticism may have been directed toward unnecessary extravagance rather than premium products with a specific story or purpose behind them.
Family Inspiration Behind the Brand
Throughout the launch of As Ever, Meghan has consistently emphasized the role her family plays in shaping the products.
Recently, she shared details about which fruit preserves are favored by different members of the household.
According to Meghan, Prince Harry particularly enjoys the raspberry variety, while Princess Lilibet prefers strawberry.
She revealed that Prince Archie enjoys both flavors, while orange marmalade remains her personal favorite.
The comments were part of a broader effort to present As Ever as an extension of family traditions rather than simply another celebrity brand.
Marketing materials frequently reference recipes developed in her kitchen, personal memories, and moments shared with loved ones.
A New Chapter in Montecito
The discussion surrounding the candle controversy comes as Meghan and Harry continue building their post-royal life in Montecito, California.
Since stepping back from official royal duties in 2020, the couple have focused on business ventures, charitable initiatives, and raising their children away from the intense spotlight that defined much of their time in Britain.
Recently, Meghan shared glimpses of their wedding anniversary celebrations, including personal photographs and family moments that offered followers a rare look into their private life.
The anniversary posts reflected a theme that has become increasingly central to her public image: family, home, and personal storytelling.
Debate Continues
Whether viewed as a contradiction or simply the natural evolution of a businesswoman’s perspective, Meghan’s decade-old remarks have once again become part of a larger conversation about celebrity branding and authenticity.
For critics, the comparison highlights a perceived gap between past statements and present actions.
For supporters, it demonstrates how individuals and businesses evolve over time.
What remains undeniable is that Meghan continues to generate intense public interest. Even comments made nearly ten years ago can resurface and spark fresh debate, proving that every chapter of her journey—from actress and blogger to duchess and entrepreneur—remains closely watched by admirers and critics alike.
As As Ever continues to expand its offerings, the discussion surrounding those old remarks is unlikely to disappear anytime soon, ensuring that Meghan’s latest business venture remains firmly in the public spotlight.
