FASHION designer Stella McCartney has been slammed for appearing to try to capitalise on Meghan Markle wearing one of her coats on Remembrance Sunday.
The Instagram account of Sir Paul McCartney’s daughter’s high-end clothing label plugged that the Duchess of Sussex had worn its 1,545 black belted wool number to watch the annual memorial at the Cenotaph.
Yesterday, Meghan, 38, was seen watching the sombre proceedings from a balcony in the pricey new-season coat, as well as a wide-brimmed black hat and with a red poppy brooch attached to her collar.
Shortly afterwards, the brand posted online a picture of the Duchess at the event, and the caption appeared to have been written by Stella, 48, herself.
It read: “So honoured to have HRH Duchess of Sussex in our Autumn ’19 coat at Remembrance Day service. x Stella #RemembranceDay.”
While the post has received more than 44,000 ‘likes’ with several people complimenting the garment, many people left comments suggesting it was “inappropriate” for the brand to be trying to gain commercially from the event, which marks the 1918 Armistice which signalled the end of the First World War, and which is primarily used to remember British service members who have died in wars and other military conflicts.
One person wrote: “Remembrance day is to honour those who fought for us not to use for advertising purposes. Pretty shocked.”
Another commented: “Today is about those who gave their lives for our freedom. Who gives a f**k what she’s wearing.”
A third shared: “Totally inappropriate.”
And a fourth added: “Slightly inappropriate to advertise your clothes worn at the memorial service.”
Pointing out that she is usually a fan of the designer, a fifth wrote: “I’m really surprised, shocked, saddened and disappointed that you uploaded this post.
“This is only my opinion, but I feel it was a completely inappropriate occasion to advertise.”
A sixth shared: “Using remembrance day to advertise your clothes is a little disrespectful!! People died and you take pictures of people showing respect for advertising purposes. Just wrong.”
A seventh posted: “Nice – but not really a time to be advertising your clothes, Stella!!”
Meghan is regularly seen wearing Stella’s designs – including famously the white halterneck dress she wore for the evening celebration her 2018 royal wedding to Prince Harry, 35.
In other royal news, we told you how Kate Middleton honoured her World War Two code-breaker gran with a special 29.99 poppy brooch.
We also revealed how the Queen joked people “wanted her dead” when she was gifted a poisonous plant twice in one week.
And Meghan wowed in 25k ruby earrings as Kate looked elegant in a 17 Zara headband at the Festival of Remembrance at the weekend.
