The proprietor of a high-end Los Angeles boutique has spoken out about being targeted by what he describes as 'deranged' supporters of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. This follows his decision to feature her in his store's 'rogues' gallery' of 2025 'holiday hypocrites'.
Backlash from the Sussex Squad
Fraser Ross, the owner of the Kitson department store on Robertson Boulevard, says members of the so-called 'Sussex Squad' have bombarded him with complaints. The backlash began after he included Meghan in a festive window display that labels public figures as 'villains of the year'. In the image, the Duchess wears a Santa hat bearing the words 'Montecito Diva'.
One particularly irate fan called the store around twenty times in a single day to berate him. Mr Ross responded by stating the Duchess was included on merit and suggested she might even enjoy the attention. He stands by his description of Meghan as a 'holiday hypocrite', hoping the display might 'knock some sense' into her.
'We have been getting harassed by Meghan Markle fans. We told them we do this every year and she won one of the spots,' Fraser Ross stated. 'One called the store 20 times to say we "weren’t nice". She was deranged.'
The 'Holiday Hypocrisy' Display Details
Ross explained that Meghan earned her place in the notorious window because his customers and Instagram followers repeatedly nominated her. Their reasons included disdain for the Sussexes' criticism of the Royal Family and Meghan's estrangement from her father, Thomas Markle, who recently underwent a leg amputation in the Philippines.
The scathing, mocked-up magazine cover featuring Meghan includes several pointed headlines. She and Prince Harry are branded the 'most unpopular kids in school' for being 'disliked by Americans'. Another highlights that her 'American Riviera Orchard' jam is produced in a factory 2,000 miles from her Montecito home.
Further criticisms on the display cite her alleged flouting of a 'no dogs rule' at a local farmer's market, a Harper's Bazaar feature where she was 'announced like royalty' to a nearly empty room, and her choice to wear an estimated $82,000 worth of jewellery in a Netflix holiday special. The display also labels her a hypocrite for allegedly 'not letting go of her royal status'.
A Tradition of Provocative Displays
Kitson's 'Holiday Hypocrisy' window has been a famous Los Angeles fixture since it began in 2020. This year, Meghan joins a list that includes California Governor Gavin Newsom, actor George Clooney, and singer Katy Perry. Ross noted that supporters of Governor Newsom have also been problematic.
This is not the boutique's first foray into royal commentary. Following 'Megxit' in 2020, the store sold 'Team Harry & Meghan' and 'Team William & Kate' t-shirts for $38 each, mirroring a tactic used during the Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt split in 2005. Back then, sales indicated customers backed William and Kate by a two-to-one margin.
Despite the current harassment, Fraser Ross remains defiant. He concluded, 'Hopefully a retail store can knock some sense into Meghan because her "yes people" are making people dislike her more.'
