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Royal Jam Wars: Buckingham Palace Takes a Sweet Swipe at Meghan Markle
In what seems to be a subtle yet pointed move, Buckingham Palace has entered the realm of jam wars by teasing Meghan Markle with their latest creation – Thoroughly Royal Strawberry Preserves.
This playful jab comes hot on the heels of Meghan's recent venture into the world of lifestyle brands, where she sent out numbered pots of her American Riviera Orchard jam to 50 handpicked influencers.
While Meghan's friends shared images of the artisanal jam nestled among oranges, Buckingham Palace's official store took a different approach.
In a video shared on their Instagram account boasting over 557,000 followers, the Palace showcased their own version of the sweet preserve.
Set to the elegant tones of Mozart's Dissonance Quartet, the reel presents four quintessentially British ways to savor the product, highlighting its use of the finest British berries.
Unlike Meghan's logo, which bears a striking resemblance to a royal crest, Buckingham Palace's preserves come adorned with the authentic royal coat of arms.
Priced at $3.95 per jar and available for international shipping, each jar proudly displays the motto of the Order of the Garter – “Honi Swat Gwi Maw I Pons,” translating to “shame on him who thinks evil of it.”
While the cost of Meghan's jam remains undisclosed, speculations suggest it could fetch a hefty price tag of $250 per jar.
In a cheeky social media post, the Palace suggests enjoying their jam on scones, as part of a cream tea, or paired with a crumpet and croissant on toast, igniting what some have dubbed the “jam wars.”
The Palace's playful banter has not gone unnoticed, with comments flooding in favoring Buckingham Palace over Montecito, where Meghan resides.
The subtle rivalry between the two camps is evident, sparking speculation that Meghan might not be too pleased with this royal twist.
The timing of this clash comes as Meghan attempts to generate revenue through her new jam venture, with only 50 trial pots initially distributed to influencers.
Royal expert Michael Cole warns that this endeavor is crucial for Meghan's financial success, emphasizing the need for the product to resonate with consumers.
Despite criticisms from some quarters, Meghan seems determined to expand her brand globally, a move that has divided opinions.
While some argue she should follow the lead of other royals who keep their ventures local, Meghan's ambitions appear to transcend borders.
Angela Levin, a royal biographer, criticizes Meghan's strategy of targeting a select group of influencers, labeling it as shortsighted.
Levin suggests that Meghan's pursuit of global recognition reflects her desire to break free from the constraints of British royalty and establish herself on a global scale.
As the jam wars unfold, one thing is clear – Buckingham Palace's foray into the world of preserves has added a new dimension to the ongoing saga between the royal establishment and the Duchess of Sussex.
The battle for supremacy in the jam market continues, with each side vying for a sweet victory without the need for sour lemons.