As Meghan Markle prepares for the imminent launch of her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, she finds herself at the center of a brewing controversy that could overshadow her endeavours.
Reports of alleged bullying from former staff members have surfaced, raising questions about the Duchess of Sussex's leadership style.
Multiple outlets, including *The Hollywood Reporter*, have cited ex-employees of Archewell, Markle's charitable foundation, describing her as “Duchess Difficult” and a “dictator in high heels.” In a separate report by *The Daily Beast*, some former staff members characterized her as a “demon” with “psycho moments” in her role as a boss.
Royal expert Hugo Vickers commented on the unfolding situation, expressing his lack of surprise regarding the allegations. He emphasized the importance of treating employees with respect, warning that poor treatment can lead to negative repercussions. “You should always be very polite to people who work for you because otherwise they’re going to get very put out,” Vickers stated.
The controversy is compounded by a trademark issue concerning the brand name. With just two months remaining in her three-month deadline, Markle faces pressure to resolve this matter. Failure to respond within the stipulated timeframe could lead to the abandonment of her application, further complicating her brand's launch.
Additionally, Vickers recalled a past incident where Markle was reprimanded by the late Queen Elizabeth II for her perceived rudeness to an under gardener at Windsor. “The head gardener went to complain to the Queen, and she told her off because she obviously didn't like people being rude to staff,” he noted, adding that such behavior is “very unattractive.”
As Markle navigates these challenges, the public will be watching closely to see how she addresses both her brand's impending launch and the surrounding controversies.
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