On the Fourth of July, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, attempted to showcase her entertaining skills by sharing a video clip of herself creating a festive charcuterie board. Posted on her Instagram account, As Ever, the video featured Meghan assembling a wooden platter adorned with an array of colorful fruits, star-shaped cheese, crunchy crackers, and a ramekin of her highly sought-after raspberry spread, which retails for $14 (approximately $21.35 AUD).

Dressed in a casual yet stylish striped shirt and filmed within her picturesque Montecito kitchen, Meghan appeared cheerful and relaxed as she expertly arranged the ingredients, even letting out a light giggle when a rogue raspberry tumbled off the platter. The intention behind the video seemed to be to project a sense of domestic charm and the art of “easy entertaining.” However, the reaction from the audience was not quite what she had hoped.

Many viewers took to social media to critique the video, suggesting that her charcuterie board resembled a design from a 2014 Pinterest post, rather than an innovative or fresh concept. One particularly vocal Reddit user commented, “Bless her heart for thinking this is new,” highlighting the growing trend of online criticism directed at celebrity influencers trying to showcase domesticity.

Additional critiques included the presentation’s faux calligraphy, which some found “eye-roll inducing.” Critics also suggested that Meghan was subtly showcasing her jewelry collection, which became a talking point among viewers. Shortly after its release, the video was shared again on her personal Instagram account, this time featuring an overhead view of the same charcuterie board.

While Meghan's raspberry jam sold out within 30 minutes when it was first released in April, the reviews from those who managed to purchase it were mixed. Reports from the Daily Mail indicated that the spread, or what Meghan likes to call a “preserve,” is produced by The Republic of Tea, a California-based company that also supplies her line of honey and tea bags. Interestingly, despite the company being headquartered in California, the jam is manufactured in Illinois.

Some customers described the spread as overly sweet and noted its runny consistency, comparing it more to a “raspberry dessert sauce” than a traditional spread suitable for toast. Meghan, for her part, explained that her intention was for the jam to reflect a true fruit flavor, which she felt had been lacking in other products. However, critics argued that her creation failed to live up to expectations, with one reviewer stating, “It dripped off the spoon like a sauce,” while another pointed out that it lacked the thickness typically associated with jams.

In a previous podcast appearance in May, Meghan had acknowledged that the rapid sell-out of her jam might have left some customers feeling frustrated, an admission that shows her awareness of the challenges of introducing products in today’s competitive market.