Meghan Markle is facing potential legal action after a fan in Maryland claimed the Duchess of Sussex's homemade bath salt recipe caused "catastrophic burns," leading to a demand for $10 million in damages. The incident allegedly stemmed from Markle's Netflix show With Love, Meghan, which featured a segment in which she prepared a bath salt mix for a friend.
Robin Patrick, a diabetic woman with an autoimmune condition, stated she followed Markle's instructions seen on the Netflix episode and created a bath soak using Epsom salt, Himalayan salt, arnica oil, and lavender oil. After submerging in the bath, Patrick reported a "mild tingling sensation" that rapidly escalated to burning discomfort as the water rose to cover more of her body.
"However, as the water level rose to cover my legs and reached my buttocks, I began to feel burning and significant discomfort in those areas," Patrick told RadarOnline.com. "That evening, while showering, I experienced intense burning as water contacted the affected areas, which had developed into ulcers."
Patrick, who suffers from diabetes-related dry skin, said she now endures "persistent burning, discomfort, and the emergence of new blister-like sores and ulcers daily." She added, "The burns are still not healed and are quite uncomfortable. The others are just sore as heck to touch."
The incident has led Patrick to demand a $10 million settlement from Meghan Markle, Netflix, and Archewell Productions, alleging "reckless disregard for public safety." She has also proposed resolving the matter with a financial settlement without proceeding to litigation but threatened to sue for at least $75,000 if not met.
According to her legal notice, Patrick is seeking damages for "emotional distress, potential post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), loss of confidence in appearance, disfigurement, shortened life expectancy, and long-term medical care for injuries that may worsen over time."
Meghan's attorney, Cameron Stracher, dismissed the negligence claim, arguing that the risks associated with Epsom salt-particularly its drying effect on the skin-are clearly marked on product packaging. "It was not foreseeable that [she] would disregard the instructions on the Epsom salt packaging," Stracher wrote in response.
Skincare experts had previously flagged concerns after the March 4 episode aired, cautioning that the DIY mixture's high essential oil concentration without dilution could lead to adverse skin reactions, especially for individuals with preexisting conditions.
The Duchess, 43, has not directly addressed the lawsuit but has continued promoting wellness-themed content. In a recent podcast appearance with entrepreneur Hannah Mendoza, Markle discussed using Ayurvedic medicine and mushrooms to cope during pregnancy. "If you aren't familiar with adaptogens, you can go to this place of 'Oh, it's feeling a little psychedelic and super woo-woo'," Markle said on Confessions of a Female Founder.
