Meghan Markle's attempt to share an intimate portrait of her family's daily life has instead triggered a storm of mockery online, with critics branding the Duchess of Sussex "insufferable" and "out of touch." Speaking at Godmother's Bookstore in Summerland, California, on Oct. 23, the Duchess, 44, opened up about her morning rituals and parenting techniques - revelations that quickly fueled backlash across social media platforms.
The event was billed as a discussion promoting her college friend Courtney Adamo's book, The Family Home: Inspiring Ideas for a Home Filled with Joy. But the conversation soon pivoted toward Markle's own carefully curated domestic world in Montecito, where she lives with Prince Harry and their children, Archie, 6, and Lilibet, 4.
"First thing I do when I wake up in the morning is turn the music on in the house," Markle said during the talk, describing how she creates a calming environment for her family. The former Suits star added that she never travels without candles, saying, "I always travel with a candle. I am so conscious and sensitive to fragrance, and I associate that with home."
Her comments extended to parenting routines, where she revealed she relies on a "healing blanket" gifted by Victoria Jackson, a cosmetics entrepreneur and co-owner of the bookstore. Markle also discussed her nightly "rose and thorn" conversations - a method encouraging her children to share the best and most challenging parts of their day. "Our daughter, she's four and she's a very strong personality and she's incredible," Markle said. "And now she's in this moment where I say, 'What's your rose and your thorn?' And she goes, 'My day was just a blast.'"
While the discussion was meant to highlight mindfulness and family connection, the online reaction was swift and cutting. "Insufferable," one user wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Another added, "Rose & thorn? Healing blanket? This broad has never dealt with a child in her life!" Threads dissecting Markle's comments described her remarks as "ridiculous drivel" and "weird." One critic wrote that she had gone "from castles and State visits to a dank dungeon of a bookstore."
Some royal watchers viewed the appearance as part of Markle's continued effort to redefine her public image through lifestyle branding. She offered entertaining tips, including her practice of greeting guests barefoot - a gesture she said "demystifies" her gatherings. "People walk in and go, 'Oh, she's in this with me,'" Markle told the audience.
The conversation marked what many observers see as her return to the influencer-style projects she has pursued since stepping back from royal duties. It follows With Love, Meghan, her 2024 Netflix series centered on cooking, gardening, and hosting. While a holiday special is reportedly in development, Netflix has yet to confirm a third season.
