‘I’m a royal fashion expert and this is why Meghan Markle’s new shop is ridiculous’

When will Meghan Markle stop monetising the monarchy? From jam jars to sharing her bizarre lifestyle tips on Netflix, Meghan, 43, is now cashing in on her looks - and for me, this is one step too far - even for the Duchess of Sussex.

On Monday, Meghan leapt to social media and announced on Instagram that she would now be linking items on the platform, which her followers can buy. The wife of Prince Harry wrote: “Many of you have asked, so here you go! A little shopping to start the week. More to come. Link in bio.” The website put a disclaimer that Meghan may earn commission through purchases - and an expert has suggested her earnings could be in the millions.

The former Suits actress clearly recognises her power and influence, which has been widely noted as the 'Meghan effect'. Whenever she steps out in an ensemble, loyal fans rush to emulate her look. Meghan is clever because when she feels her popularity may be slipping or needs a PR boost, she will use her royal links. Just last month, she pulled a huge fashion stunt that sparked a frenzy.

The Duchess of Sussex donned an outfit almost identical to one owned by Princess Diana. She was accused of using her late mother-in-law as a promotional prop - as the snap was shared just days before the release of her brand new Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Meghan often makes reference to her ties to the Royal Family and has publicly demanded to be referred to as the Duchess of Sussex. So, it comes as no shock she has labelled the store under the name ‘Meghan, Duchess of Sussex'.

This leads me to question whether she should be earning a direct commission when she is no longer a working royal but is capitalising off her title.

Whether you love or hate her - you cannot deny that she has exquisite taste in her fashion sense.

We have seen her rock-stunning designer ensembles from Oscar Del Le Rent and Carolina Herrera ballgowns to laid-back looks from high-street retailers like Zara. Meghan embraces the latest trends and often gives cheeky nods to her husband's family by choosing clothing items with royal references. I admire her ability to pull off looks that feature timeless silhouettes with modern twists.

But I felt uncomfortable when I saw how out of touch she has become with reality, as most of her items listed had jaw-dropping price tags.

Items include a £1,072 gown and £595 Saint Laurent sandals. After throwing myself into Megah’s online closet here's how it went…

My jaw dropped when I saw how many luxurious items Meghan listed and their ridiculous price points. Her greed for earning off her title was crystal clear, as the higher the price points on the clothes listed, the bigger the commission she would earn.

Did she not consider that most people don’t live in sprawling mansions worth millions and have thousands of spare cash to throw on clothes?

Just weeks ago, she told People Magazine that she and Prince Harry strive for normalcy in their lives – but her wardrobe does not reflect any form of a ‘normal’ wage.

She listed a Heidi Merrick dress, which retails at £1,072, a £715 Celesta Collective handbag, and £595 YSL sandals – if you picked out those and made an outfit, it would set you back £2,382.

In the UK we are currently facing a cost of living crisis, it is ridiculous that the total of the outfit would cost more than a person’s average monthly wage.

During her TV show, Meghan showcased a pair of Zara linen trousers, highlighting her appreciation for mixing luxury and affordable fashion.

It is clear nothing is going to stop Meghan, as she cannot help herself by trying to create ways to sell her image, so why not just be inclusive?

In the past, we have also seen her rep affordable jewellery brands like Monica Vinader jewellery - their price points would have been perfect as lots of their collection is under £120 which is more purse-friendly for average earners.

The ShopMy platform which Meghan used is marketed at "elite creators", and allows them to earn revenue if someone purchases an item through a link they have shared.

The website says, “Commissions typically range from 10 - 30% depending on the brand or retailer”.

Not only do I regularly write about royal fashion, but I also understand affiliate marketing and often recreate affordable looks that the royals step out in.

She could potentially make a fortune from her online shop, as she most likely is earning commission on every sale she makes – which is why she chose higher price points instead of high-street designs, as it increases her earning potential.

Meghan has 2.6 million followers, and based on her position in society, public relevance, and ties to the monarchy, her reach would have phenomenal engagement. This shows that she will have thousands, if not tens of thousands, wanting to buy what she links, which will generate a whopping paycheque for capitalising on her links with an institution that she walked away from.