In a recent episode of his podcast, Spot On With Link Lauren, host Link Lauren couldn’t help but mock Meghan Markle’s holiday product line after his unboxing experience turned into a comedic spectacle.
Known for his candid takes on royal happenings, Lauren didn’t hold back when he discovered that the $64 “Signature Candle No.
084” he purchased arrived devoid of a crucial element: a wick.
As Lauren commenced his unboxing on November 10, his initial shock quickly transformed into laughter when he exclaimed, “You guys, there’s no wick!”
Holding the candle in front of the camera, he pointed out the gaping hole where one would typically find the wick, clearly baffled by the lack of something to light.
“Am I crazy? Where is the thing that I light? This has to be a joke,” he said, seeking validation from his producer.
The absence of a wick led Lauren to assert that he wasn’t partaking in any humor about the situation.
“There’s literally nothing to light in here,” he assured his audience, responding to a question over his earpiece, clarifying that it wasn’t a prank.
He added, “This is like Meghan Markle’s career… failure to launch,” cleverly likening the candle’s shortcomings to the challenges Markle has faced in the public eye.
As for the candle’s scent, which was marketed as an intricate blend of water lotus, sandalwood, and California poppy, Lauren evaluated it with a tinge of skepticism.
Despite describing the fragrance as “feminine,” he remarked that it smelled “no different than a Yankee candle from CVS.”
Acknowledging that the candle itself felt substantial, he quipped, “But for $64, there better be something I can actually light.”
Lauren’s critique didn’t stop with the candles; he also took on Markle’s As Ever fruit spreads, which Oprah Winfrey had recommended as part of her 2025 Favorite Things.
The podcaster shared his disappointment, lamenting the packaging’s lackluster presentation, which consisted of cheap, crinkly paper.
“I thought they’d come in a nice little package, but they were just thrown in a box,” he explained.
When it came time for a taste test, Lauren approached the spreads with an open mind, even suggesting that he could appreciate them separately from the artist.
However, his enthusiasm waned quickly.
“The strawberry spread tastes like Smuckers… nothing groundbreaking.
Just something you’d slap on toast,” he stated bluntly.
The orange marmalade didn’t fare much better, with Lauren labeling it “diabolical” and exclaiming that it was “literally the worst thing I’ve ever swallowed.”
He seemed to have a neutral response to the raspberry spread, showing neither love nor disdain.
It’s safe to say that in the culinary department, Markle’s holiday offerings didn’t receive a warm reception.
Lauren then turned to Markle’s decorative dried flower sprinkles, priced at $15 for a tiny container.
Taking a nibble, he compared the taste to “straw,” stating emphatically, “This is a no for me as well…
I feel like I’m eating printer paper.”
This was a humorous jab, echoing the mockery she faced during her Netflix series, “With Love, Meghan,” where her penchant for sprinkling flowers on every dish was met with skepticism.
As Lauren’s humorous critiques unfolded, it became clear that his views were colored by his ongoing skepticism toward Markle.
Yet, there was a consistent theme: consumers expect quality, especially for premium prices.
With the products failing to deliver on promise, it raises a pivotal question: what does it take to win over a critic in today’s saturated lifestyle market?
This episode not only highlights Lauren’s comedic abilities but also sheds light on the potential pitfalls of celebrity branding.
As we dive deeper into the world of celebrity products, it’s apparent that an immaculate image on social media doesn’t always translate into real-world satisfaction.
While some may find amusement in Lauren’s reviews, others might view it as a cautionary tale for influencers and celebrities like Markle.
The path to establishing a successful brand is fraught with challenges, and this incident serves as a reminder that products must meet consumer expectations, or they risk becoming fodder for ridicule and criticism.