Fashion designer Stella McCartney slammed for promoting royal look on sombre day

Stella McCartney has been criticised for promoting the coat Meghan Markle wore during a Remembrance Day service on her brand’s Instagram account.

The backlash came after the duchess joined other members of the royal family at the Cenotaph war memorial in London to pay her respects to those who have lost their lives as a result of war.

But Stella’s post that followed the sombre occasion was soon labelled ‘disrespectful’ by followers, as many found she was using the commemorative day to sell clothes.

The post, which has now been deleted, spoke of the designer’s pride that the Duchess of Sussex chose to wear her $2800AUD autumn 2019 coat for the occasion.

Fashion honour

The post said, “So honoured to have HRH Duchess of Sussex in our Autumn ‘19 coat at Remembrance Day service x Stella.”

During the day’s service, Meghan stood alongside Prince Edward’s wife Sophie and Princess Anne’s husband Sir Tim Laurence as Prince Harry laid a commemorative wreath.

Some viewers were confused as to why Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle were standing on separate balconies, which was to do with royal protocol, rather than hints of an ongoing rift.

Fans of the designer praised the elegant style of Meghan’s outfit as well as the design of the coat.

Selling out

However, other Instagram users found it disrespectful, claiming Stella was using the Remembrance Sunday ceremony to sell her designs.

“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,” one comment read.

Another said: “Today is about those who gave their lives for our freedom. Who gives a f*** what she’s wearing.”

Others branded the post “tacky” and “surprising”.

A short time before posting the picture, Stella posted a video of poppies in a field with the caption, “Remembering the ones that sacrificed to give us freedom x Stella⁣.”

Words by Caroline Allen.

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