Meghan Markle ‘Dumbfounded’ by New Perfume That Received Criticism from Guthy-Renker: ‘Nobody Welcomes a Copycat’

Meghan Markle, known for her ventures beyond the royal realm, faced a setback with her latest perfume endeavor, Archetypes. The fragrance line, inspired by her royal experiences, hit a stumbling block when Guthy-Renker, a prominent marketing company, rejected one of her scent ideas due to concerns over similarities to Princess Diana’s signature perfume.

Guthy-Renker, renowned for partnering with celebrities like Jennifer Lopez and Jessica Simpson on successful product lines, declined to collaborate with Markle on this particular fragrance concept. Sources close to the situation reveal that the company expressed reservations about the scent being perceived as a replica of Princess Diana’s iconic fragrance, which could potentially draw criticism and affect market reception negatively.

Markle, who launched Archetypes to reflect her personal journey and identity post-royalty, was reportedly taken aback by Guthy-Renker’s decision. The rejection highlights challenges Markle faces as she navigates the competitive landscape of celebrity-endorsed products. While the perfume line has garnered interest, this incident underscores the delicate balance Markle must strike between innovation and homage without crossing into contentious territory.

Critics argue that Markle’s attempt to emulate aspects of Princess Diana’s life and style, including through fragrance, risks diluting her own unique brand identity. The rejection from Guthy-Renker serves as a reminder that in the fiercely competitive world of celebrity endorsements, originality and authenticity are paramount.

Markle’s team has not commented publicly on the rejection, but insiders suggest they are reconsidering their approach to future product launches within the Archetypes brand. As Markle recalibrates her strategy, industry watchers speculate on her next move and how she will navigate this latest challenge in her entrepreneurial journey.