Meghan Markle may just have extended William an olive branch – but her damage is done

Meghan’s scone video felt like a sweet nod to the Queen and William, but Chris Riches says it hit with the sickening weight of being sold something again.

Meghan Markle likes her cream tea the same as Prince William
Meghan Markle likes her cream tea the same as Prince William (Image: Netflix)

Whether Meghan Markle meant to honour Queen Elizabeth II and reach out to Prince William or not, ‘As Ever’, it just looked like the Sussexes were trying to make a ‘quick buck’. And it underscores the cynicism some Britons feel towards the California-based couple and the mistrust that still appears to exist between Harry, Meghan and the rest of the Royal Family.

I am, of course, talking about ‘scone-gate’. Last Friday, Prince William threw his crown into the ring regarding the age-old question of what goes on a scone first: jam or cream.

Scone with cream and jam

Scone with cream and jam (Image: N/A)

In an interview with Heart FM’s breakfast show, William was offered some scones and asked which way he preferred them.

Citing Queen Elizabeth II’s own preference for the ‘Devon method’ instead of the Cornish way, he remarked: “I can only tell you what I learned from my grandmother, and she would definitely have the cream on first.”

He quickly added diplomatically: “It tastes delicious either way.”

But just hours later, Meghan Markle took to social media to join the debate – and agree with the late monarch and her brother-in-law.

On her lifestyle brand As Ever’s Instagram account, a clip appeared showing a sliced scone before a dollop of cream was added first, topped with a spoonful of Meghan’s raspberry spread, honey and flower sprinkles.

Just to remind you – As Ever Raspberry Spread ($12), Sage Honey with Honeycomb ($32) and Flower Sprinkles ($15).

Yup, you need a cool $57 for that teatime treat …. and that’s without the scones or the cream!

Meghan’s Instagram video was shared to mark ‘Memorial Day weekend plans’ – but fans were left questioning the timing of the post.

“Why is Meghan posting a recipe for scones – a British food – for a US holiday?” one person said, while others accused her of ‘copying’ William.

Meghan Markle's As Ever products

Meghan Markle’s As Ever products (Image: Adam Gerrard / Daily Mirror)

Whether she was copying William or trying to hand him a virtual olive branch, it seems whatever Meghan does ends with a sale.

On their Australia faux-royal tour, the Sussexes were accused of blatant commercialism as she flogged the outfits she had worn that day on the celebrity clothing app OneOff.

The AI-powered app, of which Meghan is also an investor, lets you buy clothing similar to that worn by celebs while donating a percentage to the stars.

So the bigger the media event and social media views, the more money Meghan makes.

Maybe she should create a scone version so any half-baked devotees who want the actual cream and jam-laden scones that Meghan has just decorated can get them that day in the post?

CRE: https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/2210463/meghan-markle-may-just-have?int_source=nba