Meghan Markle has been accused of cashing in on Earl Spencer's explosive new memoir by re-launching her company's Italian leather bookmarks at the same time.
The runaway Royal has not commented publicly about the Earl's book which criticises the King's response to Princess Diana's death in a 1997 Paris car crash.
As Ever newsletter announces bookmark return
But in a newsletter sent to her As Ever brand's customers, Meghan announced her firm would be re-releasing its bookmarks. They were previously sold for £13.50 and embossed with the phrase 'fell asleep here'. The promotional email which was sent out said: "Tomorrow, our bestselling Italian leather bookmark is back.
"For moments when you have to take a pause from your favourite book our bookmark returns with a new reminder to hold close."
Social media reaction mocks timing
The move was widely mocked in a series of messages on social media accompanied by laughing and winking emojis.
One commentator on X wrote: "Just surprised the bookmark doesn't come in a bundle with Charles Spencer's new book." Another said: "I see Meghan Markle has released a nice new bookmark on the day Earl Spencer's Diana book is released, subtle 'as ever'."
A third said: "Get your As Ever Bookmarks from tomorrow in time for your Swan Song book arrival…" Someone else added: "Duchess Meghan has a new bookmark for purchase just in time to use in Swan Song."
Book details and controversy
Meghan and Harry quit the Royal Family in 2020 to start a new life in the US but moved back to the UK shortly before the Earl published his book.
Harry is said to remain very close to his uncle who insisted his book Swan Song: Diana, My Sister was an historical account rather than a money-making venture.
In it the Earl claimed the then-future King Charles 'sounded giddily elated' like a 'lottery winner' when he called him after Diana's death. The Earl claimed he hung up on Charles after the then monarch-in-waiting told him 'we'll forget her soon enough' in a later phone call.
Spencer, 62, said it came during a row over whether Princes William and Harry - then 15 and 12 - should walk behind their mum's coffin in her funeral procession. Earl Spencer said he told friends and family because Charles's behaviour was 'so monstrous'.
Buckingham Palace has denied the allegations.
The Earl has been forced to apologise to TV presenter Piers Morgan after falsely alleging he was behind the publication of a photo of Diana in a leotard by the Mirror.
Morgan, who was not working for the newspaper at the time, said if the Earl's book allegations about him were demonstrably 'false' then: "What else can we trust?" He is suing the Earl and wants remaining copies of the memoir pulled from the shelves.
