The Duchess of Sussex is “slightly adrift on the facts and reality”, according to the former editor of Vanity Fair.
Graydon Carter said he only put Meghan on the front cover of the magazine in 2017 because he was told she was going to marry the Duke of Sussex, adding that she did not understand why the interview was not solely about her charity work.
He laughed as he told the New York Post that the Duchess, then an actress on Suits, had challenged the reporter, saying: “Excuse me, is this going to all be about Prince Harry? Because I thought we were going to be talking about my charities and my philanthropy.”
Carter added: “This woman is slightly adrift on the facts and reality.”
His comments came as the Duchess launched an online clothing shop selling many of the luxury pieces she wore during the filming of her Netflix lifestyle series, With Love, Meghan, or on recent public engagements.
The website – selling almost 40 items, from cashmere sweaters and linen dresses to oversized shirts and leather sandals – acknowledges that “some products may contain commissionable links”.
The Duchess will use the online shop to share the products she loves and uses herself, sources told the Telegraph.
It is considered an opportunity to promote brands and businesses she believes in.
She will collect commission on some, but not all, of the items featured.
Among those in her initial collection is a £712 handbag from Cesta Collective, a brand she revealed she had invested in last summer.
The online store shows for the first time how Meghan plans to monetise her look, cementing her status as an influencer, despite her protestations to the contrary.
She told People magazine earlier this month: “I see myself as an entrepreneur and a female founder, and if the brand ends up influential, then that’s great.”
The Duchess promoted the launch of the shop on Instagram, posting a ShopMy link with the message: “A handpicked and curated collection of the things I love – I hope you enjoy them!”
The items include a Loro Piana beige sweater costing £1,096 and a Heidi Merrick ivory silk dress for £1,068.
Those wishing to emulate the Duchess’s style can also buy a gold Maya Brenner Happiness Retreat necklace, made in collaboration with her former Suits co-star Abigail Spencer, for £383, or a Velvet linen dress made in collaboration with her stylist friend Cleo Wade, for £251.
The shop also includes a £100 trench coat by Uniqlo, whose creative designer is Clare Waight Keller, the designer of Meghan’s wedding dress, who is said to share a “beautiful friendship” with the Duchess.
As a working royal, the Duchess quickly discovered that she could influence the sale of clothing, with items she wore on public engagements rapidly selling out while blogs listing her wardrobe choices amassed huge followings.
The £495 Strathberry bag she carried on her first official engagement with Prince Harry in December 2017 sold out in 11 minutes, catapulting the fledgling Scottish brand to new heights.
Last August, the Duchess acknowledged her selling power, telling the New York Times: “I support designers that I have really great friendships with, and smaller, up-and-coming brands that haven’t gotten the attention that they should be getting.
“That’s one of the most powerful things that I’m able to do, and that’s simply wearing, like, an earring.”
Almost all of the items for sale via the Duchess’s shop are either neutral or black, hues she has favoured since leaving the UK.
She claimed in the 2022 Netflix series, Harry & Meghan, that she was not allowed to wear the same colour as more senior members of the Royal family, suggesting she had little choice but to wear muted tones to “blend in” and ensure she did not stand out.
Meghan, meanwhile, posted a rare photograph of herself with her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
The Instagram post, which did not show the children’s faces, was captioned “Every day is a love story” alongside a dove of peace emoji.
She also published video footage of birds flying in formation against a blue sky and the sun, alongside the message: “Flying into the week with my family (Thanks to my H for capturing this!).”
Squeals of delight could be heard – presumably the voices of the children – with one of them shouting “Wow”.
Meghan has this month faced widespread critical reviews of her Netflix lifestyle show, but has already filmed a second season and is focusing on her new brand As Ever.
She has responded to requests for additional information and corrections on the trademark and is expected to begin selling items such as fruit spread, dried biscuit mix and edible flower sprinkles imminently.
