Meghan Markle’s friend, polo player Nacho Figueras, received backlash for promoting products from Markle’s brand, American Riviera Orchard, on his Instagram stories. This came as Kate Middleton made a public appearance at the Trooping the Colour ceremony amidst her battle with cancer. Figueras, who is reportedly based in the U.S., posted images of jam and dog biscuits from Markle’s brand, which were seen by U.K. followers early Saturday morning before the ceremony.
Middleton had announced her plans to attend the event on Friday, sharing updates on her health and her commitment to public engagements. This announcement was followed by Figueras’ post, causing outrage among fans who accused him of trying to upstage Middleton while she deals with health issues. Some criticized Figueras for his timing, while others defended him, suggesting that the post may have been coincidental.
Representatives for Figueras did not respond to requests for comment, but this is not the first time he has shown support for Markle’s brand. In the past, he shared photos of himself enjoying products from American Riviera Orchard, indicating a close relationship with Markle and Prince Harry. Figueras and his wife attended the royal couple’s wedding in 2018 and have been friends with Prince Harry for nearly 20 years.
Figueras has also been involved in charitable work with Prince Harry, supporting Sentebale, a charity co-founded by the Duke of Sussex to help children in Lesotho and Botswana. The two friends have played polo together at various events, and Figueras has spoken highly of Harry’s commitment to making a difference.
In a recent interview, Figueras expressed his admiration for Harry’s dedication to spreading awareness about polo and showcasing the sport at a competitive level. He mentioned Harry’s upcoming polo series with Netflix, which aims to highlight the skills and challenges of being a professional polo player. Figueras praised Harry for his storytelling abilities and passion for the sport, emphasizing the importance of sharing this with a wider audience.
Overall, Figueras’ support for Markle’s brand and his friendship with Prince Harry have been evident in his social media posts and public appearances. Despite facing criticism for his recent Instagram stories, Figueras remains a close ally of the royal couple and continues to engage in charitable endeavors alongside Prince Harry.