Meghan Markle accused of stealing Princess Kate's return to limelight

Meghan Markle has been accused of trying to steal the limelight from Princess Kate's triumphant return to official royal duties at Trooping the Colour. Kate returned to the public eye on Saturday months after the world learned of her cancer diagnosis.

Argentinian polo player Nacho Figueras, who is a friend of Meghan and Prince Harry's, posted photos of the Duchess of Sussex's raspberry jam on Instagram just as Kate was set to arrive at the King's Birthday Parade.

Some media reports claim Meghan and her pal had allegedly tried to steal the limelight from Kate, whose return to the public eye has been widely hailed as a success.

The latest Instagram post came after Meghan's new venture, American Riviera Orchard (ARO), unveiled a couple of new products only hours before the Princess of Wales made her first public appearance in weeks.

Mr Figueras later posted a photo of Meghan's new product on his Instagram Stories and hinted ARO would also offer dog treats.

A second pic showed his dog, Nina Iggy, sat next to a jar filled with treats, with a label which appeared to be written by Meghan.

The jam label read "2 of 2", suggesting Mr Figueras was one of only two people to receive a jar. Meghan's previous batch of strawberry jam totalled just 50 and was given to the Duchess's friends and celebrities.

Meghan announced her new lifestyle brand in March, dropping a 16 second long video on Instagram which showed the Duchess cooking, arranging flowers and strolling around her home in Montecito, California.

Prof Pauline Maclaran, a marketing and consumer research professor at Royal Holloway, University of London, told the BBC Meghan looked as if she was trying to lean into a "more domestic goddess kind of market" with the rebrand.

She suggested Meghan was trying to position herself as the next Nigella Lawson or Martha Stewart.

With the announcement of the new venture earlier this year, the absence of its official launch to date has set tongues wagging, with speculation Meghan is struggling to find the right staff.

Abesi Manyando, author and founder of the public relations and branding development firm Abesi PR, told Express.co.uk even when brands issue teasers, they may not release for up to a year later.

She added: "Meghan’s global popularity continues to increase especially in America and Africa despite royal experts' criticism.

"To the rest of the world she is very much a royal and especially in America this will always give her a high degree of relevancy."