Meghan Markle steps out for retail therapy amid controversy over Deal or No Deal ‘bimbo’ comments

The Duchess of Sussex was spotted for the first time since sparking backlash over claims her job on Deal or No Deal made her feel like a “bimbo”. See photo.

The Duchess of Sussex has been snapped out with a friend in California enjoying some retail therapy after the backlash against her comments about her time on the show Deal Or No Deal.

Meghan Markle, who lives in Montecito with Prince Harry and their two children, was spotted having a casual shopping trip and lunch with a friend.

The royal was photographed wearing a strapless green jumpsuit from NYC designer Malia Mills retailing for $US595, simple flats and a wide brimmed Panama hat teamed with Maison Valentino sunglasses and a Chloe bucket bag.

The 41-year-old was carrying a bag from high-end sportswear brand Wendy Foster.

Meghan Markle stepped out with a friend for some retail therapy in California following recent controversy surrounding her Deal or No Deal claims. Picture: Backgrid.

In a conversation with Paris Hilton on her podcast Archetypes, the Duchess revealed she was made to feel like “a pretty thing, not a person” during her time as a “briefcase girl” on the show.

Whoopie Goldberg slammed the comments on her show The View saying the royal’s comments made “other women feel bad” and sparked a backlash from other women who also worked on the show.

Australian “briefcase girl #3” slammed the duchess for “insulting” comments against Deal or No Deal and its “bimbo” co-stars.

Lisa Gleave and Meghan Markle on Deal or No Deal. Picture: Supplied

Meghan Markle as she appeared in Deal of No Deal: Getty Images

Los Angeles-based model Lisa Gleave, a former Miss Indy in her hometown of the Gold Coast, became the fourth briefcase girl to speak out against the Duchess for claiming she was “reduced to a bimbo” on the hit show.

Ms Gleave, who has previously spoken warmly about her “quiet but very sweet” co-star, changed her tone after the Duchess belittled the show and doors it opened for its actors.

“The game show that we were on, Deal or No Deal, was all about beauty and glamour. And if she didn’t want to put herself in that position, then why did she?” Ms Gleave said.

“I personally never felt objectified, even though we were in beautiful outfits,” she added.

‘COULDN’T GIVE TWO S--TS ABOUT PRINCE HARRY’S DATE’

Meanwhile a former maître d’ of a high-class Manhattan restaurant has revealed an eye-rolling exchange between an aide to Meghan Markle when she was dating Prince Harry.

Ms Markle reportedly remained “aloof” as she watched an aide demand a private area for her at the well-known restaurant frequented by A-list celebrities and the mega rich, the book claims.

The handler then name dropped Prince Harry by saying Ms Markle needed a table because “it’s for someone who is dating a prince”, it alleged.

The Duchess of Sussex pictured in Variety for an in-depth interview feature. Picture: Variety

The incident, as reported by The Sun, is yet another claim about the diva demands of the Duchess of Sussex that have been laid bare in recent months via a string of books on her life behind the scenes.

Former maître d’ Michael Cecchi-Azzolina, who worked at Le Coucou for almost three years, wrote: “I said, ‘I still don’t have a private table for you’.”

Ms Markle, then known for her acting role in Suits, arrived 20 minutes early for their booking with her handler, who was allegedly aggressive with staff.

Mr Cecchi-Azzolina claimed the handler asked: “Are you aware my guest is dating Prince Harry and about to be a duchess? Don’t you have a private area for us to wait?”

British model Naomi Campbell is renowned for her “diva” antics. Picture: AFP

Vogue editor Anna Wintour reportedly sends food back. Picture: Getty

He wrote in his upcoming memoir: “My first impulse was to laugh. I couldn’t give two s--ts about Prince Harry’s date, and by the attention the escort was drawing from the crowd at the bar, nor did anyone else.”

He said Meghan was “aloof” and claimed she “didn’t say a word”.

He added: “We get the most powerful people in the world that come here — no one really cares about you.”

Mr Cecchi-Azzolina also claimed celebrities including Vogue editor Anna Wintour and supermodel Naomi Campbell regularly showed up unannounced and often sent food back.

Originally published as Meghan Markle steps out for retail therapy amid controversy over Deal or No Deal ‘bimbo’ comments