{"id":26143,"date":"2025-04-29T19:39:27","date_gmt":"2025-04-29T19:39:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/?p=26143"},"modified":"2025-04-29T19:39:27","modified_gmt":"2025-04-29T19:39:27","slug":"meghan-markles-new-podcast-interview-sparks-controversy-over-her-gift-basket-for-the-host-details","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/?p=26143","title":{"rendered":"Meghan Markle’s New Podcast Interview Sparks Controversy over Her Gift Basket for the Host \u2013 Details"},"content":{"rendered":"

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A simple gift basket meant to comfort a friend has sparked fresh controversy for the Duchess of Sussex, thanks to a card bearing a title she reportedly agreed not to publicly use.<\/p>\n

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Meghan Markle’s appearance on “The Jamie Kern Lima Show podcast,” which premiered on April 28, 2025, sparked more than just conversation \u2014 it ignited criticism. During the episode, Jamie Kern Lima, founder of IT Cosmetics, recounted a personal moment in which Meghan had shown her kindness during a stressful time.<\/p>\n

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A screenshot of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and Jamie Kern Lima during Markle’s appearance on “The Jamie Kern Lima Show podcast” from a video dated April 28, 2025. | Source: YouTube\/Jamie Kern Lima<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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“All of a sudden,” Lima\u00a0recalled<\/a>, “you dropped off this gift basket with ice creams, homemade strawberry sauce to put on top of the ice cream…It was like as if you’re in my shoes feeling what I was feeling, without me even needing to tell you anything.” The gesture, she said, added unexpected value and emotional support when she needed it most.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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As she spoke, an image of the basket appeared on screen \u2014 filled with Straus Family Creamery ice cream, the Duchess’s homemade strawberry sauce, and a card bearing a crown emblem and the\u00a0message<\/a>, “With the compliments of HRH The Duchess of Sussex.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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A screenshot of the gift basket from Meghan Markle to Jamie Kern Lima | Source: YouTube\/Jamie Kern Lima<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The card instantly stirred controversy online. Viewers were quick to point out Meghan’s use of the “HRH” (Her Royal Highness) styling \u2014 something she and Prince Harry had reportedly agreed not to use following their exit from royal duties.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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“Royal title is WRONG!”<\/i>\u00a0one netizen\u00a0commented<\/a>\u00a0in part. Another\u00a0shared<\/a>,\u00a0“Its [sic] such a slap in the face to the late queen because she told them they weren’t allowed to use HRH anymore.”<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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A screenshot of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex during her appearance on “The Jamie Kern Lima Show podcast” from a video dated April 28, 2025. | Source: YouTube\/JamieKernLima<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Someone else\u00a0wrote<\/a>,\u00a0“This will be highly frowned upon as it goes against Queen Elizabeth II wishes.. Not to profit from the Royal name and unable to use HRH. Our last Queens wishes [sic].”<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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A fourth person\u00a0typed<\/a>,\u00a0“I thought they couldn’t use HRH??”<\/i>\u00a0while a fifth\u00a0added<\/a>, “She’s blatantly disrespectful …the woman is uncouth!”<\/i>\u00a0Other critics accused Meghan of\u00a0emphasizing her royal title<\/a>\u00a0while showing little respect for the institution itself.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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A screenshot of Meghan Markle from a video dated April 28, 2025. | Source: YouTube\/Jamie Kern Lima<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Some questioned why a gift to a personal friend would be labeled with the HRH title, which Meghan is believed to\u00a0no longer be permitted to use<\/a>. They further called out the gesture and suggested it was inappropriate and self-important.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Commenters pointed out that both Prince Harry and Meghan are no longer authorized to use the HRH styling and argued that the couple\u00a0should be held accountable<\/a>\u00a0for continuing to use it publicly.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Several voices online claimed the Duchess of Sussex was defying the late Queen’s Sandringham agreement by using the HRH title, with some urging Buckingham Palace to intervene and\u00a0prevent further misuse<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The backlash renewed attention on the royal couple’s step back from royal life \u2014 specifically the terms under which they left. On February 19, 2021, the Palace formally confirmed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would not be returning as working members of the Royal Family.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Queen Elizabeth II, Prince (now King) Charles with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping The Colour 2018 on June 9 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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A statement shared at the time\u00a0read<\/a>\u00a0in part, “Following conversations with The Duke, The Queen has written confirming that in stepping away from the work of The Royal Family it is not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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“The honorary military appointments and Royal patronages held by The Duke and Duchess will therefore be returned to Her Majesty, before being redistributed among working members of The Royal Family. While all are saddened by their decision, the Duke and Duchess remain much loved members of the family,” the statement\u00a0continued<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex photographed at The Fields of Remembrance in Westminster Abbey on November 7, 2019, in England. | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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After a year-long review following their departure from royal duties, it was confirmed that the\u00a0honorary military roles and patronages<\/a>\u00a0Prince Harry would return included the Royal Marines, RAF Honington, Royal Navy Small Ships and Diving, as well as key charitable and Commonwealth associations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Earlier, on January 18, 2020, the Palace had also\u00a0announced<\/a>\u00a0that, “while they can no longer formally represent The Queen, the Sussexes have made clear that everything they do will continue to uphold the values of Her Majesty. The Sussexes will not use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the Royal Family.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the State Funeral Service for Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey in London, England, on September 19, 2022. | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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That said, a representative for the Sussexes\u00a0clarified<\/a>, “Harry and Meghan retain their HRH titles; however, by agreement, they do not use them for commercial purposes. While they do not publicly use HRH, this was a personal gift, and their titles remain.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The moment served as a reminder of the delicate balance the couple continues to navigate between public perception and personal identity. Beyond the titles and scrutiny, during her podcast appearance, Meghan also offered a rare and intimate look into the world she and Prince Harry have built since stepping away from royal duties.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry photographed during their Colombia tour on August 15, 2024. | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Lima brought up a\u00a0recent public comment<\/a>\u00a0made by the Duke, stating how “happy” he was for her and how he “fully support absolutely everything” his wife did. Meghan, hearing those words for the first time during the recording, smiled in surprise and responded warmly, calling Harry a “great partner” and saying she feels his support every day.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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