Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams remarked on the timing of Meghan Markle’s new lifestyle brand launch, closely preceding The Diana Awards, suggesting it as a strategic move by the Sussexes to gain media attention. Fitzwilliams described this as an attempt at “one-upmanship,” pointing to Prince Harry and Meghan’s interest in maintaining their public image ahead of their Netflix contract’s expiry next year. Additionally, Russell Myers raised concerns that Meghan’s business venture might contravene the commercial agreement with the royal family, relating to the usage of royal titles for profit.

In a separate but related event, princes William and Harry celebrated their mother, Princess Diana, at the 25th anniversary of the Diana Legacy Award. William attended in person in London, while Harry participated via livestream, both commending the impactful work continuing Diana’s legacy. The ceremony recognized individuals like Chiara Riyanti Hutapea Zhang and Joel Nkeonye Mordi for their inspirational contributions, echoing Diana’s beliefs in the potential of young people to drive positive change.

Despite their public tributes, the brothers’ ongoing estrangement was noticeable, with Meghan Markle launching her business venture around the time of the awards. This move came amidst discussions on the significance of Diana’s legacy and the charity’s efforts in her memory.

Amid these events, photographer Misan Harriman addressed accusations regarding a manipulated photo of Harry and Meghan, specifically denying the addition of a willow tree in a portrait of the couple. This came after the Princess of Wales faced scrutiny for editing a Mother’s Day picture, sparking a wider conversation on the ethics of image manipulation. Harriman emphasized the authenticity of his photograph, amidst media investigations into the credibility of royal photographs following the editing revelations.