Meghan Markle’s £712 “ethical” handbag, sold through her newly launched online store, is reportedly being produced by Rwandan workers earning just 10p an hour.
The 43-year-old Duchess of Sussex introduced her latest business venture last week, shortly after sharing a rare photo with her two children.
Meghan Markle shared a photo with Archie and Lilibet on her As Ever brand’s Instagram, writing, “Every day is a love story.” Shortly after, she promoted her new ShopMy page, featuring luxury items like a £1,068 gown and a £600 pair of sandals, with commissionable links.
Meanwhile, reports surfaced that after Meghan invested in handbag brand Cesta Collective, the Rwandan women making the bags allegedly earn as little as 10p an hour—far below the World Bank’s extreme poverty threshold.
Some employees criticized the price gap between what they earn and what the products sell for.
ShopMy founder Tiffany Lopinsky revealed that some users earn over a million dollars annually, with creators making up to 30% commission—meaning Meghan could earn around £210 per handbag sold.
Meghan praised Cesta’s impact on female artisans, while the brand defended its ethical practices, dismissing recent allegations as misinformation.
The Sun reached out for comments, and meanwhile, Meghan unveiled the trailer for her new podcast, promising plenty of “girl talk.”
Meghan Markle’s new podcast, Confessions Of A Female Founder, launches on April 8 with eight episodes detailing her journey as an entrepreneur.
This follows her Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, where she was seen cooking and crafting with celebrity friends.
The podcast, succeeding Archetypes, will feature conversations with small business owners about their success stories. It also ties into her latest brand, As Ever, which has hinted at products like fruit preserves and embroidered napkins.
Meanwhile, royal experts Phil Dampier and Dickie Arbiter criticized Meghan, calling her approach “tacky” and accusing her of exploiting her children for promotion.