Meghan Markle’s new business venture into wine has received a mixed reaction this week — including widespread support from fans of the Duchess, and growing concern over an offensive social media post that many have called “deeply inappropriate.”

The Duchess of Sussex announced on July 1 that her lifestyle brand As Ever would be expanding into wine, with a first release: a 2023 Napa Valley Rosé described as “light, fresh, and effortlessly celebratory,” personally curated by Meghan herself. A sparkling wine using the traditional Méthode Champenoise is also in development, with more varietals to follow.

While the announcement attracted enthusiasm from supporters and curiosity from consumers, a disturbing post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) has sparked outrage online.

Tasteless social media post draws sharp criticism

An anonymous anti-Sussex account known for frequently targeting Meghan shared a post juxtaposing a photo of her drinking wine next to an image of the Paris car crash that killed Princess Diana in 1997. The caption appeared to draw an inappropriate and baseless connection between the two.

The post was quickly condemned across online forums, particularly on Reddit, where users expressed disbelief and frustration. One commenter wrote, “I literally gasped in shock. What a cruel thing to say.” Others echoed the sentiment, describing the account’s behavior as “vile,” “disturbing,” and “completely unhinged.”

Some users urged others not to engage with or amplify the post, warning that giving attention to such content only fuels it. “In an ideal world, something would be done about accounts like this,” one Redditor added, “but I’m not holding my breath.”

A broader conversation about online abuse

This incident is just the latest example of the online hostility Meghan has faced since stepping back from royal duties in 2020. Despite the continued scrutiny, she has remained focused on new ventures and creative projects.

In a recent episode of her podcast Aspire, Meghan spoke candidly about the pressures of public attention and the importance of living authentically. Referencing a now-viral video of her dancing with Prince Harry during her pregnancy with daughter Lilibet, she reminded listeners that the clip was recorded years ago — before the current headlines.

“There’s still a whole life, a real, authentic, fun life happening behind the scenes,” she said. “No matter what noise people make.”

As Meghan prepares for the launch of her new wine line, her supporters hope the focus will shift back to the work itself — and away from the vitriol that too often surrounds her name online.