Meghan Markle's Fancy Fruit Plate Raises Eyebrows and Questions

This week saw Meghan Markle come under fire from mothers everywhere, thanks to an elaborately arranged fruit plate she showcased in her recent Netflix series, "With Love, Meghan." The decorative centerpiece, designed on an appealing wooden board, featured an array of fruits meticulously set to resemble a rainbow. The composition included generous quantities of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, kiwi slices, pineapple chunks, satsumas, nectarines, a single banana, and a sprinkling of dried rose petals.

Meghan explained her objective was to bring "wonder" to everyday life. However, skeptics promptly questioned the intended audience of this fruit-based spectacle. Is it aimed at captivating four-year-olds into imagining they're literally eating a rainbow, some wondered, asserting that if true, some whipped cream clouds might better enhance the experience. Others speculated whether the tray’s excessive arrangement was designed to evoke millennial nostalgia for Pinterest decor trends from over a decade ago. Regardless of intent, the sizable price tag attached to replicating this fruity rainbow—at least £30—prompted even more scrutiny.

Attempts by multiple journalists and curious individuals to recreate Markle’s vibrant platter consistently resulted in costs surpassing £30, with variations depending less on where they shopped and more on minor alterations. One journalist struggled to source dried rose petals and resorted to dried fruit as an alternative, humorously indicating this addition did nothing but add further absurdity to an already whimsical effort.

Despite the criticism about cost and practicality, recreating the fruit rainbow proved relatively straightforward in practice. Preparation was manageable, typically no longer than twenty minutes, provided one is familiar with peeling kiwis and fortunate enough to have ripe nectarines or pre-cut pineapple. Consumption proved equally swift for a small family—assuming their liking of fruit matches the generous proportions provided.

observers ask if she's purposefully trolling critics who've labeled her extravagant, overly earnest, and disconnected from everyday realities. In this scenario, Meghan cleverly leans into her public image, playfully challenging her detractors through the medium of fruit. Conversely, another interpretation sees Markle echoing Marie Antoinette, suggesting a certain unintentional aloofness and extravagance.

If Meghan indeed sought an element of playful irony, she earned a degree of admiration from some who appreciate her bold response. But should she genuinely embody the Marie Antoinette persona, critics suggest switching from fruit to cake might prove less controversial—especially among British mothers, for whom cake almost never invites criticism.