Meghan Markle Faces Backlash After Luxury Boutique Incident in Montecito

Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, found herself at the center of controversy on April 20, 2025, following a dramatic incident at an upscale boutique in Montecito, California, where she resides with Prince Harry and their children, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3. The incident, which quickly spread across social media platforms like X, has reignited debates about Meghan’s lifestyle, public persona, and financial credibility, raising questions about her post-royal trajectory and the sustainability of her brand.

The Incident: A Clash at an Upscale Boutique

According to eyewitness accounts, Meghan entered a luxury boutique on Montecito’s high-end shopping strip accompanied by two assistants. She reportedly expressed interest in a limited-edition piece from a European designer, rumored to be priced at over $250,000. When she requested the item be reserved, the store manager declined, citing a policy that reserves high-tier items for verified clients with long-standing accounts. The situation escalated when a store clerk allegedly remarked, “You can’t afford it,” a comment that visibly upset Meghan. Eyewitnesses noted that her tone shifted as she demanded to speak with the owner, only to be informed that celebrity status does not equate to financial credibility at the boutique.

This exchange has sparked widespread discussion online, with some viewing the incident as a humiliating rejection for Meghan. Posts on X reflect a mix of sentiments, with users like @unreMARKLEble previously criticizing Meghan’s behavior, calling her entitled and lacking self-awareness in unrelated contexts, such as her fashion choices during public appearances. While these posts don’t directly address the boutique incident, they highlight a growing public perception of Meghan as someone who prioritizes appearances over substance—a narrative that this incident has amplified.

A Pattern of Entitlement?

The Montecito incident is not an isolated event, according to local shopkeepers who have anonymously shared their experiences with Meghan. One store manager described her as “demanding” and “dismissive,” expecting “unquestioned royal treatment” despite having stepped back from royal duties in 2020. Another boutique owner recalled an occasion when Meghan allegedly sent staff to clear a store for private shopping, only to leave without making a purchase. These accounts contrast sharply with the polished, relatable persona Meghan projects through her media appearances, such as her recent Time100 Summit speech on April 23, 2025, where she spoke warmly about her family and her goal to “just have fun” while taking care of others.

Meghan’s public image has been carefully curated through projects like her Netflix docuseries With Love, Meghan, which premiered on March 4, 2025, and her lifestyle brand, As Ever, launched on April 2, 2025. The show and brand aim to showcase her love for cooking, gardening, and homemaking, often highlighting her role as a hands-on mother to Archie and Lilibet. However, critics argue that incidents like the one in Montecito undermine her efforts to appear grounded. A New York Times article from April 7, 2025, noted that many have called With Love, Meghan “unrelatable and inauthentic,” a sentiment echoed by Fox News on April 10, 2025, which pointed out that Meghan’s focus on luxury—such as her $15 flower sprinkles selling out in under an hour—clashes with economic concerns in the U.S.

Financial Scrutiny and a Struggling Brand

The incident has also brought renewed scrutiny to Meghan and Harry’s financial situation. Since stepping back from their royal roles in 2020, the couple has pursued various commercial ventures to achieve financial independence. They signed a reported $100 million deal with Netflix in 2020, which has produced With Love, Meghan and other projects, though their documentaries on polo and Harry’s Invictus Games have been described as flops by Fox News. Their Spotify partnership, which ended in 2023 after a lackluster podcast series, further raised questions about the couple’s ability to sustain their brand.

Financial analysts have pointed out a disconnect between the Sussexes’ spending habits and their income. A former PR executive who worked with their Archewell Foundation told the Scottish Daily Express, “They spend like royalty but earn like influencers. That gap catches up quickly.” This perspective aligns with the boutique incident, where Meghan’s expectation of special treatment clashed with the store’s policy of verifying financial credibility. Royal expert Angela Levin commented, “Meghan wants the crown without commitment. It’s all about appearances. When this facade slips away, as seen in Montecito, it uncovers someone increasingly disconnected from reality.”

Meghan’s lifestyle brand, originally launched as American Riviera Orchard in March 2024, faced its own challenges. The United States Patent and Trademark Office flagged potential confusion with another brand, leading to a rebrand as As Ever in February 2025. Despite these hurdles, the brand’s debut collection sold out in minutes on April 2, 2025, as reported by Harper’s Bazaar. However, critics argue that Meghan’s reliance on her royal title to drive sales—highlighted by royal experts in a Fox News article from April 5, 2025—may not be sustainable long-term. British broadcaster Helena Chard noted that while Meghan’s loyal fans ensure initial sales, continuous success remains uncertain.

A Disconnect Between Persona and Reality

The Montecito incident underscores a broader tension in Meghan’s post-royal life: the disconnect between her curated public persona and her actions. In interviews, she emphasizes relatability, such as sharing in a New York Times piece on April 7, 2025, that she feeds her children frozen tater tots and has worked since she was 13. Yet, her frequent visits to luxury stores like Erewhon—where she indulges in $20 smoothies and biodynamic wine, as reported by RadarOnline on September 25, 2024—and her interest in a $250,000 designer piece paint a different picture. This duality has led to accusations of being “out of touch,” a critique that gained traction after she dismissed economic concerns while launching As Ever, according to Fox News on April 10, 2025.

Local sentiment in Montecito also reflects growing frustration. A Scottish Daily Express article from January 20, 2025, reported that residents feel the Sussexes have turned their exclusive community into a “tourist trap,” blaming them for rising house prices and an influx of visitors. Some locals have labeled them “villains,” with one resident calling them “the most entitled, disingenuous people on the planet.” This dissatisfaction, combined with the boutique incident, suggests that Meghan’s efforts to integrate into Montecito’s elite community have not been as seamless as she might have hoped.

The Bigger Picture: A Struggle for Identity

At its core, the Montecito incident highlights Meghan’s ongoing struggle to define her identity after leaving the royal family. She and Harry sought financial independence and freedom from the constraints of royal life, but their reliance on their titles and the trappings of luxury has invited criticism. The boutique’s refusal to bend its policies for Meghan, despite her celebrity status, mirrors the broader challenges she faces in navigating a world where her royal title no longer guarantees deference.

Meghan’s defenders might argue that the incident reflects unfair scrutiny, pointing to her successful ventures like With Love, Meghan, which became one of Netflix’s top 10 most-watched shows upon its release, and As Ever’s rapid sell-outs. However, the persistent criticism of her authenticity—seen in posts on X and media reports—suggests that she has yet to fully bridge the gap between her aspirational lifestyle and the public’s expectations. Her comments at the Time100 Summit about being the “happiest I’ve ever been” contrast starkly with the narrative of entitlement and financial instability that incidents like this perpetuate.

Looking Ahead: Can Meghan Rebuild Her Narrative?

As Meghan moves forward, the Montecito incident serves as a reminder of the challenges she faces in crafting a sustainable post-royal identity. Her upcoming projects, including the second season of With Love, Meghan set to air in the fall of 2025, and the continued expansion of As Ever, will be critical in shaping public perception. However, she may need to address the criticisms of entitlement and inauthenticity head-on, perhaps by focusing on more accessible initiatives that align with her stated goal of taking care of people.

For now, the luxury boutique incident remains a flashpoint in Meghan’s journey, exposing the delicate balance between her past as a royal and her present as a California-based entrepreneur. Whether she can overcome these challenges and redefine her narrative remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: in Montecito, as in the public eye, appearances can only carry you so far.