Meghan Markle was urged to show ’empathy’ to a British aristocrat by a royal commentator (Image: Getty)
was urged to to “empathise” with a British aristocrat who recently received backlash over his clothing brand, it has emerged.
The Duchess of Susses received criticism in 2018 .
, who at the time was artistic director of the fashion house Givenchy. It was made of silk with three-quarter-length sleeves, an open bateau neckline and a train with a built-in triple silk organza underskirt. It featured no lace or any other embellishments.
Meanwhile, her veil was five meters long and made from silk tulle. It was embroidered with flowers of the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, as well as the California poppy, in honour of Meghan’s home state and wintersweet, a flower that grows at Kensington Palace.
One of the flowers on her veil was the Indian Lotus, in honour of India, which is the largest member state of the Commonwealth.
:
Meghan Markle’s wedding outfit sparked debate in India in 2018 (Image: Getty)
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our
At the time, the motifs sparked debate in India, with one academic, Aparna Kapadia, a social historian of South Asia at US Williams College, claiming that Meghan’s choice was an “arrogant representation” and “a celebration of colonial rule”.
Her went viral on social media with many others agreeing with her statement.
Another Indian writer, Hema Ramaprasad, also criticised the move and said: “I think having those flowers embroidered on her veil might have been well-intentioned — but I find it patronising and tone-deaf.”
Another critic was Anita Ratnam, an Indian dancer and choreographer, who said that Meghan’s flowers on her veil, “though beautiful, represent colonial amnesia at its worst”.
Meanwhile, another member linked to the Royal Family recently came under scrutiny over colonialism regarding their clothing brand.
Lord Hugo Manners, the 21-year-old son of Duke of Rutland, was criticised for “profiting off colonialism” after he launched a clothing brand which sold Indian jackets, according to the .
Don’t miss…
Hugo came up with the idea to sell Indian jackets while still a student at Newcastle University last year after his mother, the Duchess of Rutland, brought one back as a present from her travels.
He told the outlet: “I loved the Indian culture, the vibrancy of it – and how special it was.”
The brand launched last March but was criticised on social media for “profiting off of a variety of colonies” with the three founders, Hugo, his girlfriend Jojo Chawner and his best friend Oscar Esquerré-Gow reportedly receiving online abuse.
Hugo told the outlet: “I don’t get to choose where I was born. I’ve always felt so lucky, and so privileged to grow up in a place like this.
“It would be appropriation if we hadn’t acknowledged the roots of where the jackets come from.”
After the backlash, the founders decided to relaunch the brand with a renewed focus on its tailors and origins.
Meghan Markle’s veil was embroidered with flowers of the 53 countries of the Commonwealth (Image: Getty)
They said: “The whole reason why we started this company was to just celebrate Indian culture, its vibrancy, its culture, its people, everything about that is so special.”
Following this, the ‘s Ephraim Hardcastle wrote: “The Duchess of Sussex should empathise with the Duke of Rutland’s son, Lord Hugo Manners, who’s been attacked by the forces of wokery for ‘country pillaging’ over Joah, his Indian clothing brand.
“Maybe she and Hugo should have stuck to tweed.”