Meghan Markle's New Venture Sparks Scrutiny of Past Royal Commentary

Meghan Markle's recent unveiling of her rebranded lifestyle company, As Ever, has brought renewed attention to her past. The Duchess of Sussex, now 43, initially planned to launch under the name American Riviera Orchard, but faced trademark challenges. The new venture promises a range of luxury products, including fruit preserves, candles, and homewares. This launch has coincided with the resurfacing of old blog posts from her now-defunct blog, The Tig.

One particular comment from 2014, predating her relationship with Prince Harry, is drawing attention. In the post, Meghan reflected on the media coverage of William and Kate's 2011 royal wedding. She wrote, "Grown women seem to retain this childhood fantasy," and referenced the "pomp and circumstance" surrounding the event. This statement has been interpreted as a subtle critique of the fairy tale narrative often associated with the monarchy. At the time, Meghan was also starring in the television show Suits.

Meghan's blog post also highlighted her admiration for strong, independent female characters, such as She-Ra. Now, with the launch of As Ever, Meghan has indicated a desire to reclaim her voice. In a launch video, she mentioned not being able to share in the same way for the past few years, referencing the limitations she experienced as a working royal. The brand's launch comes shortly before the release of her new Netflix show, With Love, Meghan. This follows Prince Harry's revelations in his memoir, including details about tensions between Meghan and Kate before the Sussexes' 2018 wedding.