A royal commentator has accused the Duchess of “spruiking products and not focusing on the Royal Family”, as The Princess of Wales made a brave return to public life.

Comp of Meghan Markle / Kate Middleton

Royal commentators questioned the timing of the post by one of the Sussexes’ close friends. (Image: Getty)

Meghan Markle has “put herself in the doghouse” by promoting products as the Princess of Wales bravely returned to the world stage at this weekend’s Trooping the Colour, a royal commentator claims.

Nacho Figueras, a close friend of Prince Harry’s showed off gifts thought to be from the Duchess’ lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard on his Instagram story just hours before the highly anticipated royal event.

Figueras was among the 50 people chosen by the former Suits actress to receive a PR package of the brand’s jam after she soft launched it in March.

Asked on Sky News Australia whether the timing of the plug was intentional, journalist and Sussexes critic Louise Roberts said: “I would say this is intentional, but also a bit of a miss-hit because the timing was very, very poor.

“Instead of doing the classy thing and sending a very public message, particularly to Charles and Kate, given their cancer battle, ‘all the best for Trooping the Colour today, I hope it goes well,’ or something in the Meghan style.

Trooping The Colour 2024

Kate appeared on the balcony at the Trooping of the Colour as she continues cancer treatment. (Image: Getty)

“Instead one of Harry’s polo friends was putting up Instagram pictures of dog biscuits and raspberry jam. Now I don’t blame him [Harry] at all, clearly Meghan had a hand in this.

“But to take the spotlight away from her father-in-law and sister-in-law is really, really poor form I think.

“I don’t think anyone cares about jam or dog biscuits at a time when the whole world’s attention, in particular, is on Kate and her bravery on the world stage and being very stylish, unlike her sister-in-law who really has put herself in the doghouse by spruiking products and not focusing on the Royal Family.”

A representative for the Sussexes has been approached for comment.

Figueras has also been approached for comment via Instagram.

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Meghan reportedly chose Figueras as an influencer to promote her lifestyle brand. (Image: Getty)

The Princess of Wales made her first public appearance since December at Trooping the Colour on Saturday, following her cancer diagnosis and treatment.

The day before she shared a deeply moving statement where she revealed she has “good days and bad days” undergoing gruelling chemotherapy for cancer but acknowledges she’s “not out of the woods yet”.

Kate, who bravely revealed her cancer diagnosis in March, explains the treatment can leave her feeling “weak and tired” on occasions.

But when she is well enough she can focus on the things that give her joy and reveals she has started “to do a little work from home”.