The $600 Dutch Oven Drama: Meghan Markle’s Surprising 5-Word Response To Le Creuset Backlash

The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, is once again at the center of a media firestorm, this time over her choice of kitchenware featured in her recent Netflix project. As of December 11, 2025, the controversy surrounding her use of high-end Le Creuset cookware has escalated, with critics arguing the expensive items set an "unrealistic standard" for her audience and contradict her claims of relatability. The intense scrutiny is directly linked to her highly anticipated lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, making her response a critical moment for the new venture.

The backlash, which primarily focused on the visibility of colorful, luxury enameled cast iron pots—some costing hundreds of dollars—prompted a direct question to the Duchess. Her subsequent reaction, delivered with a mix of surprise and dismissal, has become the latest viral soundbite, revealing her perspective on the constant, sometimes trivial, criticism she faces in the public eye. This is the deep dive into the "Dutch Oven Drama" and Meghan's surprising counter-narrative.

The Complete Profile: Rachel Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, is an American media personality, entrepreneur, and former actress who married Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, in 2018. Her career and transition from Hollywood to royalty have placed her under a constant global spotlight.

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• Full Name: Rachel Meghan Markle
• Born: August 4, 1981, in Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• Parents: Doria Ragland (Clinical Therapist/Yoga Instructor) and Thomas Markle (Television Lighting Director).
• Education: Northwestern University (Degree in Theatre and International Relations).
• Notable Career: Known for her role as Rachel Zane on the legal drama Suits (2011–2018).
• Royal Status: Became the Duchess of Sussex upon her marriage to Prince Harry. She and Prince Harry stepped back from their roles as working members of the British royal family in 2020.
• Current Ventures: Co-founder of Archewell Inc., and founder of the new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard.
• Estimated Net Worth: The combined net worth of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry is estimated to be around $60 million, primarily from their production deals with platforms like Netflix and Spotify.

The Le Creuset Backlash: Why $600 Cookware Caused a Stir

The core of the recent controversy stems from Meghan’s high-profile Netflix special, reportedly titled "With Love, Meghan," which serves as a soft launch for her new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard.

Viewers and social media commentators were quick to notice the prominent display of luxury kitchen items in the background of the cooking segments. Specifically, the colorful collection of Le Creuset pots and pans became a focal point of criticism.

Le Creuset is a premium French cookware manufacturer famous for its high-quality, but expensive, enameled cast iron products. The cost of these items fueled the public debate.

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• The Price Point: A single Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven, a staple product, can retail for between $299.99 and over $780, depending on the size. A typical 5-piece cookware set can be priced around $599.99.
• The Criticism: Critics argued that showcasing such pricey, high-end kitchenware was "unrelatable" and "out of touch" for the average person. The argument posited that by featuring these items, the Duchess was setting an unrealistic standard for home cooking and lifestyle, especially for a brand meant to embody a warm, domestic aesthetic.
• The Context: This criticism is part of a broader, ongoing narrative that scrutinizes the Sussexes' wealth and lifestyle choices following their move to Montecito, California, and their exit from the working royal family.

The backlash was particularly sensitive because the American Riviera Orchard brand is expected to sell high-end home goods, including kitchen items, which critics suggest will only be accessible to a wealthy niche market.

Meghan Markle’s Dismissive and Surprised 5-Word Response

The most recent and highly discussed development came when Meghan was directly asked about the Le Creuset controversy during a high-profile interview. The question focused on the public perception that her luxurious choices make her unrelatable.

Instead of offering a lengthy defense of the cookware's quality or her personal spending, the Duchess's reaction was one of genuine surprise and apparent disbelief that such a minor detail could become a major news story.

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Her immediate, dismissive response to the controversy was the five-word question that quickly became the headline:

“This is a thing, in 2025?”

This quote, reported from the interview, encapsulates her attitude toward the criticism. It suggests she views the scrutiny over a brand of pots and pans as trivial, outdated, and a distraction from more substantive issues.

The response has been interpreted in several ways by media commentators and fans:

• As a Dismissal of Triviality: Many supporters view it as a perfectly reasonable reaction to the relentless, and often petty, focus on her every move, from her clothing choices to her choice of kitchen tools.
• As a Sign of Disconnect: Conversely, critics argue the question itself highlights a deeper disconnect. They suggest that her surprise indicates a lack of awareness regarding the economic struggles of the average consumer, for whom a $600 Dutch Oven is a significant luxury.
• A Strategic Move: Others believe it is a calculated, strategic move to downplay the severity of the backlash and redirect the narrative. By framing the criticism as absurd, she attempts to neutralize its impact on her American Riviera Orchard brand launch.

The Broader Implication for American Riviera Orchard

The Le Creuset drama is more than just a debate about kitchen gear; it’s a foundational test for the American Riviera Orchard brand. The entire premise of a lifestyle brand relies on the audience buying into the founder's aesthetic and aspirational image.

The brand is positioned to sell luxury home goods, including tableware, jams, and potentially its own line of cookware. The controversy raises a key question: Can Meghan Markle successfully launch a brand based on a highly aspirational, high-cost lifestyle while maintaining an image of authenticity and relatability?

Her response—"This is a thing, in 2025?"—signals that she is prepared to move past the trivial critiques and focus on the business. It is a clear message to her critics that she will not be sidelined by debates over enameled cookware or the price of a skillet.

For now, the Duchess appears to be doubling down on her high-end vision, suggesting that her target audience is not the general public concerned with a $600 pot, but rather a consumer base willing to invest in quality and luxury. The success of American Riviera Orchard will ultimately determine if her dismissive approach to the "Dutch Oven Drama" was a brilliant PR move or a missed opportunity for a more empathetic connection with her audience.