Meghan Markle faces backlash for ‘beige’ and ‘depressing’ As Ever Christmas collection promo – after Duchess in past claimed she had to ‘tone down’ her style to fit in with the Royal Family

Meghan Markle has been accused of releasing a ‘beige’ and ‘depressing’ promotion for her lifestyle brand, despite previously claiming that she had to ‘tone down’ her bright style to fit in with the Royal Family.

The Duchess of Sussex, 44, took to Instagram on Saturday to share a brief clip of herself assembling gifts as she continues to tout her As Ever Christmas range, which includes a $64 (£48) candle, champagne and a mulled spice kit.

In the short video, Prince Harry‘s wife, dressed in a sleek silk brown dress, was seen popping a present into a grey stocking which hung from her mantlepiece, before clasping her hands together and smiling.

It was marked by similarly neutral earthy tones throughout all the interiors in the room, appearing matching the understated light green hues of the fir decor around – although carefully placed fairy lights sparkled throughout.

‘Oh, we see you!’ the caption read. ‘Not even Thanksgiving yet and you’ve already got this in the bag.’ 

Some fans however were disappointed by the glossy promotion, claiming it lacked festivity and featured only ‘bland, boring browns’, rather than the typically bright holiday period fanfare.

Writing on X, one questioned: ‘Where are the Christmas colors? Where is the festiveness? Where’s the “Merry and bright”?

‘There is not one thing that says “holiday cheer” in this clip. It’s depressing, unseasoned manila envelope drabness.’

Commenting beneath the post, several agreed with one remarking, ‘She loves those bland earthy colours of beige, browns… Nothing ever looks festive, warm, or inviting.’

‘Nothing says Christmas like olive green and beige!’ a third sarcastically remarked.

Elsewhere, others pointed out that the Duchess had previously complained that she had to mute her wardrobe’s colour palette to avoid clashing with more senior members of the Royal Family.

The claims were made in the third episode of her £88million Netflix series, Meghan & Harry, released in 2022.

‘Most of the time I was in the UK, I rarely wore colour,’ she said. ‘To my understanding, you can’t ever wear the same colour as Her Majesty if there’s a group event, but then you also shouldn’t be wearing the same colour as one of the other more senior members of the family.’

To respect this rumoured royal protocol, Meghan said she started dressing almost exclusively in shades of camel, beige and white.

She continued: ‘I wore a lot of muted tones but it was also so I could just blend in. I’m not trying to stand out here.

‘There was no version of me [that was] joining this family and trying not to do everything I could to fit in. I don’t want to embarrass the family.’

In the short video, Prince Harry’s wife was seen popping a present into the brown stocking hung from her mantlepiece, then clasping her hands together and smiling

The Duchess of Sussex said she wore ‘beige, camel and white’ while around other women to avoid clashing with their outfits. Pictured: Meghan with The Queen in June 2018

Social media users pointed out that the former Suits actress, dressed in a brown silk gown, now appeared to be mimicking said style, consisting of ‘muted tones’.

Alongside promoting her latest festive line, Meghan is currently filming the upcoming movie, Close Personal Friends for Amazon MGM Studios – the Duchess’s return to acting for the first time since 2017.

The flick also stars Emily In Paris actress Lily Collins, Captain Marvel’s Brie Larson, and Jack Quaid, the actor son of Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan. 

According to recent reports, Netflix bosses have ‘noted’ the decision to try to professionally woo Amazon’s Jeff Bezos.

Meghan and Harry’s Netflix deal, which ended in September, is widely considered a bust in Tinseltown, although Netflix boss Ted Sarandos is said to ‘adore’ Meghan.

There is also said to have been ‘much chatter’ at the streaming giant and beyond about Meghan’s decision to return to the screen, according to multiple sources across Hollywood.

Harry and Meghan were also guests at Kris Jenner’s 70th birthday party last weekend – which was held at the $165million (£123.5million) mansion owned by Jeff Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sanchez, in Beverly Hills.