Kate Middleton’s Family Accused Of Using Meghan Markle By Doing This

Duchess Kate Middleton’s parents were once accused of using their eldest daughter’s sister-in-law for profit. This time last year, Carole and Michael Middleton’s company Party Pieces was discovered to be selling party items thoughts to be related to Duchess Meghan Markle’s Aug. 4 birthday.

As reported by the U.K.’s Daily Star at the time, the couple’s business website had a birthday party accessories range for sale that used a “lookalike” Markle as its model named “Megan.” After the release of the items, which the site advertised could be personalized, the outlet slammed the Middletons for “flogging personalised party goodies” and “cashing in on Meghan Markle’s birthday.”

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This isn’t the first time Party Pieces was called out for purportedly trying to make money off of a celebration involving the Duchess of Sussex. In April 2018, it was reported that the company was selling “royal wedding” party favors ahead of Markle and Prince Harry’s wedding.

“On the company’s website, customers can search ‘royal wedding,’ which will then bring up a range of royal-themed items from the ‘Best of British’ collection. The site describes the collection as ‘bursting with patriotic pieces,’ adding, ‘Whether you’re hosting a street party, supporting Great Britain in sport or hosting a traditional tea party then shop our collection of themed partyware!’” reported one publication.

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Hopefully for the royal family, Markle’s birthday celebration this year will be less eventful. The Duchess is expected to pay a visit to Queen Elizabeth II’s summer home, Balmoral Castle, with husband Prince Harry and their son Archie to ring in her 38th birthday this week.