The Duchess of Sussex’s new strawberry product is being used by one of her husband’s best friends, but royal fans think the publicity could be better.

Meghan Markle’s new jam is part of her American Riviera Orchard brand (Image: Getty)

Meghan Markle’s new strawberry jam is being enjoyed by one of Prince Harry’s best friends, but royal fans think its promotion feels too “forced”.

Polo player Nacho Figueras posted a picture of himself on Instagram eating jam on toast while posing with Meghan’s new product, clearly showing her American Riviera Orchard brand label. His caption read: “Did I tell you I love your jam?”

Meghan distributed her 50 special jars of jam to friends and influencers, including Nacho’s wife Delfina Blaquier, as the Duchess of Sussex looks to establish herself away from the Royal Family and her career in Hollywood.

Fans have been quick to criticise the promotion of the product. Under Nacho’s social media post, one fan wrote: “Sorry if this offends, but Meghan should not be using others to promote herself.”

User @ronalddonald41 wrote: “Really cringeworthy embarrassing.”

Instagram user @ainsleyhayes19 also wrote: “Now it’s getting a bit forced … just saying.”

The jam jars have been hand-numbered between one and 50 and it is unclear how much they will retail for or when they will go on sale.

However, Meghan’s latest business move has boosted sales for King Charles’s own version of the product, it has been claimed. The monarch sells a range of preserves and savouries through the Highgrove Shop – a place which includes gifts inspired by the King’s personal interests and his award-winning garden, as well as royal memorabilia.

His Highgrove Organic Strawberry Preserve, which costs £6.95, was reportedly sold out on Tuesday, just hours after Meghan released her product on Monday.

Delifina and Nacho were pictured with Meghan and Harry at the Royal Salute Polo Challenge benefitting Sentebale at Grand Champions Polo Club on April 12.

Polo will be the subject of a new Netflix series of which the Duke and Duchess are acting as executive producers. The show will be made by the couple’s Archewell Productions company and will give “unprecedented access to the world of professional polo” and the US Open Polo Championship in Florida, said Netflix.