Meghan Markle is once again at the center of social media chatter — this time over a tote bag.
The Duchess of Sussex stirred up online mockery after she shared a video on Instagram featuring a black-and-blue handbag boldly stamped with the initials “DS.”
Critics immediately pounced, calling the accessory “tacky” and “cringe,” while others defended it as a simple nod to her royal title.
The Video That Got Everyone Talking
The clip, soundtracked by Dolly Parton’s upbeat anthem 9 to 5, offered a behind-the-scenes glimpse of Meghan’s recent media whirlwind across New York and Washington D.C.
In the reel, viewers noticed the eye-catching “DS” tote prominently placed on top of her luggage as she strolled through a hallway.
Meghan even appeared smiling next to the bag inside an elevator before moving on to clips of her backstage at Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Summit.
As the reel continued, fans caught glimpses of Washington’s Jefferson Memorial, a toast of champagne glasses, and Meghan flashing a wide grin from the cockpit of an airplane.
She captioned the post with: “Love being surrounded by strong women supporting each other! Thanks to @fortunempw, my team, DC, and my sweet friends for the 24 hours of impact (and fun!).”
Critics and Defenders Weigh In
Not everyone was impressed by the Duchess’s accessory choice.
One critic on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, “Please don’t tell me she had a bag made with the initials DS for Duchess of Sussex?”
Another commented, “So heinously tacky,” while a third added, “Oh God, that is cringe!”
Some fans, however, argued that the bag might not even belong to Meghan, pointing out that it was briefly carried by someone else in the footage.
Yet People Magazine — known for its close relationship with the Sussexes — confirmed the tote indeed belongs to Meghan and was meant as a symbolic nod to her title.
A spokesperson for the Duchess declined to comment, leaving the online debate to swirl on its own.
Reclaiming the “Sussex” Name
The tote controversy follows Meghan’s recent insistence that her surname is now “Sussex,” not “Markle.”
In her Netflix series With Love, Meghan, she corrected actress Mindy Kaling during a light-hearted chat about childhood snacks.
While preparing cucumber sandwiches together, Mindy joked about Meghan’s love for American fast food.
The Duchess smiled but quickly interjected, “It’s so funny you keep saying Meghan Markle — you know I’m Sussex now.”
She went on to explain that sharing the family name with her husband and children felt deeply meaningful.
After the exchange, a slightly flustered Mindy replied, “Well, now I know and I love it.”
From “Markle” to “Sussex”: A Royal Journey
Meghan and Prince Harry were granted the titles Duke and Duchess of Sussex by Queen Elizabeth II on their wedding day in May 2018.
Since then, Meghan has been the first woman in history to hold the title.
However, the couple only visited the Sussex region once — for about six hours in October 2018 — during a packed day of engagements across Chichester, Brighton, and Bognor Regis.
Despite that brief visit, Meghan has continued to embrace the Sussex identity, even encouraging others to refer to her that way.
Actress Drew Barrymore was one of the first to do so publicly, calling her “Meghan Sussex” at a women’s empowerment event in Los Angeles.
Champagne, Plant-Based Dining, and Power Conversations
As her U.S. publicity tour rolled on, Meghan attended an elegant vegan banquet in Los Angeles — a dinner hosted by British businesswoman and podcaster Emma Grede.
Grede, the CEO of Good American and a founding partner in Kim Kardashian’s Skims brand, organized the event to celebrate women’s leadership and collaboration.
Held at designer Kelly Wearstler’s home, the intimate dinner featured a fully plant-based menu crafted by celebrity chef Camilla Marcus, paired with glasses of Meghan’s own As Ever wine.
Guests raised toasts to female empowerment as Meghan, seated beside the host, appeared relaxed and radiant.
Grede shared photos and a heartfelt caption: “This dinner series is about women coming together to share openly, trade resources, and help each other get s**t done.
When women collaborate, we don’t just change our stories — we change what’s possible for everyone who follows.”
Meghan’s Effortless Elegance
Never one to shy away from a polished look, Meghan turned heads in a camel-toned Giuliva Heritage Stella linen blazer paired with matching trousers and a crisp white crop top that subtly showed off her toned midriff.
She completed her ensemble with her signature Cartier Love bracelet and a statement necklace from Aurate New York.
As she clinked glasses with Emma Grede in one of the shared videos, fans were quick to note that Meghan appeared to be sipping her own As Ever Sauvignon Blanc — a detail that subtly tied her personal brand into the evening’s theme of empowerment and collaboration.
A Duchess Owning Her Narrative
Whether it’s through her tote bag, her new Netflix show, or her public appearances, Meghan seems intent on reshaping her image — from royal outsider to confident businesswoman and advocate for women.
Though opinions online remain divided, one thing is clear: Meghan Markle, or rather, Meghan Sussex, knows exactly how to keep the world talking.