Full Breakdown
Controversy Surrounds Meghan Markle's Candle Launch on Queen Elizabeth II's Birthday
4/24/2026, 11:36:59 AM
Core Event: Meghan Markle's Candle Launch Sparks Criticism
On April 21, 2023, the world commemorated what would have been Queen Elizabeth II's 100th birthday, marked by tributes from King Charles III and other royal family members. However, the celebration was overshadowed by Meghan Markle's launch of a candle collection through her lifestyle brand, As Ever, which many perceived as an inappropriate commercialization of the royal legacy. The candle named after her daughter, "Princess Lilibet," drew particular ire, as it was seen as monetizing a name that the late queen held dear.
Background & Context: The Significance of Royal Titles
The candles, priced at £64 each, were named for the birthdates of Markle and Prince Harry's children, with "Signature Candle No. 604" honoring Lilibet's June 4 birthday and "Signature Candle No. 506" celebrating Archie's May 6 birthday. The use of royal titles—"Prince Archie of Sussex" and "Princess Lilibet of Sussex"—marked a notable shift, as the children were initially born without royal designations. Their titles were conferred following King Charles III's ascension to the throne in September 2022.
Criticism & Opposition: Royal Family's Discontent
Critics within the royal family expressed their disapproval of the Sussexes' actions. Tom Sykes, a royal reporter for the Daily Beast, noted that Queen Elizabeth II had never intended for the monarchy to be monetized. Sources revealed that King Charles was displeased with the commercialization of his grandchildren's names, and Prince William reportedly found the move shocking. The sentiment among some royals was that seeing the children's royal titles used for commercial purposes was distasteful.
Official Statements & Responses: Meghan's Perspective
In response to the backlash, a spokesperson for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stated that the children's titles were a birthright following their grandfather's accession to the throne. Meghan has previously expressed the significance of the Sussex name, describing it as part of their family narrative. She stated, "I love that that is something that Archie, Lili, H and I all have together. It means a lot to me."
Conflicting Reports & Gaps: Trademark Status of Children's Names
Despite the controversy, reports indicate that Meghan and Harry have not sought trademark protection for their children's names. Initially, the candles were marketed using the royal titles, but subsequent descriptions on the As Ever website have shifted to omit these designations, referring to the children simply as "Archie" and "Lilibet."
Verbatim Quotes
- “The queen never wanted anyone to be able to monetize the monarchy,” Tom Sykes, the Daily Beast’s royal reporter, told me.” — Tom Sykes, Royal Reporter
- “Charles is not thrilled that his grandchildren are being used to peddle candles.” — Source, Woman’s Day
- “It's our shared name as a family, and I guess I hadn't recognized how meaningful that would be to me until we had children,” — Meghan Markle
The launch of Meghan Markle's candle collection has ignited a debate about the intersection of royal legacy and commercialism, highlighting ongoing tensions within the British royal family.
