Influencer's Candle Unboxing Goes Viral Over Missing Wick
An American political commentator and influencer has caused a stir after alleging that a $64 candle he purchased from Meghan Markle's lifestyle brand, As Ever, was delivered without a wick. Link Lauren, a 26-year-old TikToker often referred to online as 'MAGA Malfoy', made the discovery during a segment on his podcast, Spot On with Link Lauren.
'There's No Wick!': The Unboxing Revelation
Lauren was reviewing products from As Ever's holiday collection when he unboxed the 'Signature Candle No. 084'. The candle, which is marketed as containing the signature scent of the Montecito home Meghan shares with Prince Harry and their children, was immediately the centre of attention for the wrong reasons. Lauren declared, 'There's no wick!' amidst fits of laughter, insisting it wasn't merely poorly attached but was entirely absent.
He asked his cameraperson to zoom in for a clear view of the faulty product. Later, on social media platform X, he shared a video of the unboxing with the caption: 'I got Markled! I unboxed Meghan Markle's new $65 candle on my show today. There's no wick! Kind of a metaphor for her career. Nothing's lighting.'
Social Media Erupts with Theories and Criticism
The incident quickly ignited a firestorm on social media. While many users criticised the Duchess of Sussex for selling an 'unusable candle' for such a high price, others suggested the product had been tampered with before the video was filmed.
Some of the critical comments included jokes that the wick was 'sold separately' and quips about the candle lasting forever. One user urged Lauren to demand a refund, while another described the situation as the 'entire brand in a nutshell'.
However, a significant number of observers questioned the authenticity of the claim. Multiple users pointed out that the box appeared already opened in the video and that there was a visible hole in the centre of the candle where a wick might have been. One user directly asked, 'How do we know you didn't take out the wick yourself?' casting doubt on the narrative.
In response to a comment about a potential refund, Lauren stated he would reach out to the company, adding, 'I have the video of me opening it on camera brand new. They can't argue with facts.'
Background of the Brand and the Commentator
The candle in question, No. 084, is named after Meghan's birthday on August 4. According to As Ever's website, it features notes of fresh water lotus, sandalwood, and California poppy and is meant to evoke the warmth of her family home. The brand recently launched a Christmas collection ahead of the release of Meghan's Netflix holiday special, With Love Meghan, scheduled for December 3.
Link Lauren is a conservative commentator with nearly one million followers on TikTok, where he frequently discusses the British royal family. He gained the nickname 'MAGA Malfoy' due to his striking white-blond hair, which fans compare to the Harry Potter antagonist Draco Malfoy. Lauren previously served as a senior adviser to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s presidential campaign.
This controversy emerges shortly after Meghan faced criticism for not wearing a poppy during Remembrance weekend while attending Kris Jenner's birthday party, though she later posted a Veterans Day tribute to Prince Harry's military service. The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for both Meghan Markle and Link Lauren for comment.
