The fail turned Meghan’s gift to JTB into an international incident because he is a Wales critic

The story is that Meghan sent JTB a gift box containing candles, matches, honey, flower sprinkles and a handwritten note sealed with her royal cypher. The note said thank you for the anniversary wishes and signed off as ever Meg. JTB was stunned and grateful and made a video about it. The Daily Mail's framing is that JTB has criticised Kate and William and spent hundreds of dollars on As Ever products. The implication being constructed is that Meghan is strategically rewarding a critic of the Wales family and that this reveals something concerning about her motives. Let me examine what actually happened. Meghan has been sending personal gifts to supporters for the duration of As Ever's existence. Patrick J Adams joked about not receiving jam and Meghan commented publicly that his package was en route. Jenna Dewan received a PR package. JTB received a gift after the anniversary. This is standard lifestyle brand practice and it is also consistent with Meghan's documented personal warmth as described by Jay Shetty, Patrick J Adams and every person who has received a handwritten note from her. The Daily Mail is attempting to make the gift sinister by establishing that JTB has criticised the Wales family. But Meghan did not send the gift because JTB criticised the Wales family. She sent the gift because he sent anniversary wishes and has been a consistent and loyal supporter of her work. Whether he also has opinions about Kate and William on his platform is not Meghan's responsibility to police. The article also notes that JTB posted a cruel meme of Princess Diana to mock William. This is presented as evidence against JTB and by association against Meghan. The logical chain required is that Meghan should have researched the complete content history of every person who has ever sent her anniversary wishes before deciding whether to respond with a gift. This is not a standard anyone applies to any other public figure or brand founder in the world. The Daily Mail is also asking its readers in an embedded poll whether they think Meghan deliberately gave a gift to a fan who criticised William and Kate. The poll is the product. The story exists to generate the poll which generates the engagement which generates the comments which generates the clicks. Six hundred and nineteen comments below. The strategy is working. And Meghan sent someone candles and honey. With impeccable penmanship on the note. As ever.