Kate, Princess of Wales, "made a statement" with her Trooping the Colour appearance on Saturday, June 15, while Meghan Markle's team tried to plug her "failing" brand.
"I would say this is intentional, but also a bit of a miss-hit because the timing was very, very poor," journalist Louise Roberts said of Prince Harry's friend Nacho Figueras' Instagram post promoting American Rivera Orchard.
"Instead of doing the classy thing and sending a very public message, particularly to Charles and Kate, given their cancer battle, 'all the best for Trooping the Colour today, I hope it goes well,' or something in the Meghan style," she added.
Figueras received one of the 50 jars of jam Meghan sent out during the brand's soft launch back in mid-March.
Roberts further added: "Instead one of Harry's polo friends was putting up Instagram pictures of dog biscuits and raspberry jam. Now I don't blame him [Harry] at all, clearly Meghan had a hand in this. But to take the spotlight away from her father-in-law and sister-in-law is really, really poor form I think."
Although Harry's pal allegedly tried to make the day Meghan-centric, the Princess of Wales was praised for her "stoicism" that reportedly "quieted" voices trying to make her appear "pitiful."
This led Roberts to continue: "I don't think anyone cares about jam or dog biscuits at a time when the whole world's attention, in particular, is on Kate and her bravery on the world stage and being very stylish, unlike her sister-in-law who really has put herself in the doghouse by spruiking products and not focusing on the royal family."
"Kate's non-verbal messages seem to signal a smiling determination to reassure the public and her own children and to get on with the job," she added. "She made it clear in her written message that this is a step towards a return, not the start of it, but even from the glimpses of her in the carriage, her upright back and her signature smile showed a desire to show resilience and poise."
One commenter on X took things a step further by stating: "She seems to be trying to emulate the late Queen Elizabeth II, and is doing a fine job of it, actually."
Some analysts also pointed out how Her Royal Highness' sometimes "strong and stern" expressions, especially when she turned toward her husband and children, were also a way of showing this "stoicism" and pride for her spouse and family.
A spokesperson for Prince William stated: "The Prince is pleased to see the Princess starting to engage with the work and projects that are important to her."
Daily Express reported on Roberts' comments.