Meghan Markle is facing backlash for investing in a vegan female-founded startup creating $28 'superlattes'.
Meghan Markle has once again made headlines for another ‘un-royal’ endeavour. After a leaving the royal family and signing a $130 million Netflix deal, The Duchess of Sussex has now invested in a vegan startup.
Clevr Blends is a female-founded wellness startup producing instant coffee blends featuring turmeric, chai and matcha. The ‘superlattes’ are 100% vegan and align with the Duchess’ values.
However, an Instagram post by Oprah Winfrey showcasing the products, sent to her by Meghan, has not gone down well with the Royals or the public. Oprah wrote: “On the first day of Christmas my neighbour ‘M’ sent to me…a basket of deliciousness! (Yes that M) My new drink of choice for the morning and night.”
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Upholding royal values?
A royal source told the NZ Herald: “What is clear are the promises made at the time to uphold the values of Her Majesty and the Crown, that neither party should be trading on their royal connections to benefit financially or risk bringing the Crown into disrepute.
“It is hard to see how emojis apparently trading on royal connections is respecting the values of the royal family.”
However, it is unlikely that Meghan asked to be referred to with a crown emoji, and therefore not intentionally disrespecting the royal family. Moreover, the Duchess’ investment seems to us as a good-natured act to help a small female vegan business.
‘A load of old twaddle’
Of course, Piers Morgan had to add in his two cents on the matter. According to the GMB host, “it’s a load of old twaddle’.
He criticised the advertising strategy of sending the products to longtime friend Oprah who then endorsed the ‘superlattes’ to her 19.2 million followers. However, co-host Susannah Reid was quick to point out that Piers did the exact same with his new book, sending copies to his famous friends in the hopes of promotion.
Piers is not the only one slamming the Duchess for using her celebrity friends, but realistically that is how business works in the modern world. Promoting a vegan wellness brand that is actually good for you can’t ever be a negative thing, right?
‘A passionate female entrepreneur’
Upon announcing her collaboration with Clevr Blends, Meghan stated: “This investment is in support of a passionate female entrepreneur who prioritises building community alongside her business.
“I’m proud to invest in Hannah’s commitment to sourcing ethical ingredients and creating a product that I personally love and has a holistic approach to wellness. I believe in her and I believe in her company.”
Who could be angry about that?
Thinking about supporting smaller businesses like Clevr Blends?
Here are seven reasons why you should shop local.
(Feature Image: Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
