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Meghan Markle's recent attempt to open up about money and privilege has caused criticism, with one top branding expert labeling her comments as a planned endeavor to look approachable.
The Duchess of Sussex made the remarks on her podcast Confessions of a Female inventor while speaking with billionaire Spanx inventor Sara Blakely.
Meghan claimed that she was reared with a strong "guilt mentality surrounding having a lot," which refers to riches and privilege.
While the moment appeared to demonstrate vulnerability, branding consultant Doug Eldridge was unimpressed.
He slammed the discussion as "inevitable but terribly inauthentic," implying that the Duchess' revelation felt more like a PR stunt than an honest assessment.
The criticism comes amid a general decline in Meghan's public appeal, with detractors questioning the tone and timing of her attempts to connect with ordinary listeners.
In the most recent episode, she discussed how growing up with a "scarcity mindset" exacerbated her guilt over riches and achievement.
"It's that sense you can't quite describe, like dampness. "You can't see it, but you feel it, and it's undeniable," she said, expressing the emotional burden she feels many people bear, regardless of their accomplishments.
However, not everyone is convinced of the duchess's susceptibility.
Doug, a branding consultant, told Fox News that the moment was "a tactic to try & become more relatable to her audience" that he feels fell short.
"You can't fake authenticity," he remarked. "You either have it or you don't — and this has been an ongoing struggle for her."
