Supporters of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, have launched a fierce defence of the royal after a prominent Los Angeles boutique owner launched a scathing public attack, labelling her the "villain of the year".
Store Window Sparks Fury
The controversy erupted at the Kitson department store on Robertson Boulevard in Los Angeles, where owner Fraser Ross created a festive display branding Meghan Markle a "holiday hypocrite". The 44-year-old duchess was depicted wearing a Santa hat with the words "Montecito Diva" and placed in a gallery of so-called "villains" that included California Governor Gavin Newsom, actor George Clooney, and singer Katy Perry.
According to Ross, the decision was crowd-sourced. "Two months ago we asked our followers who should be on the windows and Meghan’s name repeatedly came up and they stated reasons," he explained. Customers reportedly cited their disdain for Meghan and Prince Harry's criticism of the Royal Family following their step back from duties in 2020 and relocation to America.
Fans Rally in Defence
The display has triggered a significant backlash from Meghan's loyal fanbase. Supporters have reportedly been phoning the store to express their fury, with one individual calling 20 times in a single day this week. Ross described the caller as "deranged", stating she insisted the store "wasn’t nice".
Despite the harassment, the business owner has doubled down on his decision. "We have been getting harassed by Meghan Markle fans," Ross told the Daily Mail. "We told them we do this every year and she won one of the spots. Hopefully a retail store can knock some sense into Meghan because her 'yes people' are making people dislike her more."
A History of Royal Commentary
This is not the first time Kitson has engaged with the Sussex narrative. Following Harry and Meghan's royal exit in 2020, the store began selling 'Team Harry & Meghan' and 'Team William & Kate' t-shirts, allowing customers to pick a side in the perceived royal divide.
The latest display features disparaging headlines next to Meghan's image, criticising her decision "not to let go of her royal status". Other figures in the display also face pointed jabs; the text beside Katy Perry references her dating "the man who made a whole country hate him", a nod to her new partner, former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The incident comes during a challenging period for the duchess, who recently reached out to her father, Thomas Markle, after he was rushed to hospital for surgery—a move that garnered sympathy from her supporters.
