Meghan Markle and Allegations of Idea Appropriation
Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has faced controversies surrounding alleged instances of idea appropriation. These accusations involve various aspects of her public persona, from speeches and brand logos to book titles and podcast concepts.
Speech at the United Nations: Meghan's statement in 2015 closely mirrored a quote by former U.S. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, leading to accusations of plagiarism.
Meghan's 2019 guest-edited cover resembled the concept of a 2016 book she contributed to, raising concerns about originality.
Meghan's 2021 book "The Bench" drew comparisons to "The Boy on the Bench" by British author Corrinne Averiss, though Averiss denied similarities.
Meghan's 2022 podcast "Archetypes" faced scrutiny for its resemblance to Caroline Myss's 2013 book on the same topic.
Meghan's 2024 brand launch faced accusations of mimicking Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop, with critics pointing out similarities in content and focus.
Meghan's 2025 brand logo sparked controversy for its resemblance to the coat of arms of a small Spanish town, leading to concerns about cultural appropriation.
These controversies have raised questions about originality, inspiration, and the importance of acknowledging existing works.
6 Comments
Raphael
“The continual comparisons to well-known works suggest there’s a lack of honest inspiration behind her projects.”
Michelangelo
“Inspiration is everywhere—taking a cue from history or influential figures doesn’t mean you lack originality.”
Raphael
“Cultural appropriation in design and idea replication only adds insult to the already controversial narrative.”
Leonardo
“If you can’t innovate on your own, why ride on the coattails of someone else’s creativity?”
Raphael
“From speeches to book titles, it seems like nothing Meghan does is truly her own.”
Answer
“Every public figure faces comparisons. It’s about the intent behind the ideas—are they paying homage or just copying?”