A close friend of Prince Harry, professional polo player Nacho Figueras, has found himself in the midst of controversy following his recent Instagram posts showcasing promotional gifts from Meghan Markle's brand, American Riviera Orchard. The timing of Figueras' posts coincided with the return of Princess Catherine to public life, stirring a wave of backlash from royal fans.
Figueras shared images of jams and dog biscuits believed to be from Meghan's company on his Instagram stories. These posts appeared just hours before the British royal family attended the Trooping the Colour ceremony in London. The apparent insensitivity of posting these images moments before a significant royal event sparked outrage among viewers, who flooded Figueras' social media with comments condemning his actions as tasteless and inappropriate.
The Argentinian polo player posted the pictures around 11:00 p.m. local time in New York, which translated to about 4:00 a.m. in the UK. This timing meant that British viewers saw the posts shortly before the King's Birthday parade, where Princess Catherine made her first public appearance of the year after undergoing chemotherapy for an undisclosed form of cancer.
The contents of Figueras' posts included a new raspberry jam, an exclusive flavor he received with his jar labeled "two of two," alongside dog biscuits packaged in a large glass jar bearing what appeared to be Meghan's handwritten label in cursive script. These products are part of American Riviera Orchard's new lineup and were prominently displayed next to Figueras' dog, Nina Iggy.
The backlash against Figueras coincided with the Trooping the Colour event, marking the second consecutive year that the Sussexes were reportedly not invited. This absence contrasts with previous years when Prince Harry and Meghan attended the event, notably in 2018 and 2019.
Critics have pointed out that Figueras' decision to publicize Meghan's PR gifts on such a significant royal occasion reflects ongoing tensions between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family. The incident underscores perceptions that Harry and Meghan's actions sometimes overshadow important royal events, fueling existing rifts within the monarchy.
The controversy surrounding Figueras' post is just one in a series of incidents that have fueled public scrutiny of Harry and Meghan's relationship with the royal family since their departure from official duties and relocation to the United States. Their actions and statements continue to be closely watched and debated, with many observers noting discrepancies between their desired privacy and the public attention their actions attract.
Figueras' decision to showcase Meghan's PR gifts on the same day as Trooping the Colour has intensified existing tensions within the royal family and highlighted the complexities of their relationship with Harry and Meghan. The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges and intricacies involved in managing media relations within the royal context.
