This week, Meghan Markle's lifestyle brand, As Ever, drew significant attention, but for all the wrong reasons, as detailed by Talk TV host Kevin O'Sullivan in his scathing review of the duchess's business venture. The New York Post first reported that Meghan had suffered a humiliating blow, with Netflix employees taking home multiple jars of her pricey jam that the royal reportedly couldn't sell to paying customers.
These claims were later dismissed by the streaming channel and representatives of Meghan as being inaccurate, but according to O'Sullivan, Meghan's inability to shift "mundane domestic products" could be the "final nail in the coffin" for brand. O'Sullivan shared: "It is the beginning of the end for the duchess' ill-fated online business. As Ever. A baffling enterprise that never really made sense...with a popularity rating about as high as the repulsive oaf formerly known as Prince Andrew.
"Not exactly a get-rich-quick master plan or get-rich-slowly for that matter." Royal expert Samara Gill, who also appeared on the segment with O'Sullivan, added that she has "fears" Meghan and Harry could end up struggling financially as they continue to drift further away from the Royal Family and cut ties with showbiz pals, including the Kardashians.
Her once-close friend, Kim Kardashian, appeared baffled when discussing how she was forced to delete a photo of her and the duchess at a recent party because Meghan "forgot it was Remembrance Day," in a disastrous PR move that apparently even left Prince Harry shocked.
Speaking on what lies ahead for Meghan's business, Gill shared: "Well, next we're going to see it at TK Maxx, to be honest. I mean, that's the next stop for Megan's brand. I mean, Tina Brown, who is a royal biographer, said she has the worst judgment of anyone, and you can see that in her business decisions. "
Harry and Meghan have allegedly invested millions into the aforementioned brand, and it has no silent partners or investors; it’s entirely self-made.
A source speaking to Shuter dished on the investment, sharing that Meghan and Harry both believed it was “bigger than anything” Meghan had ever done. The source said, “They went all in.” The couple allegedly invested millions of dollars into the brand, which doesn’t seem to be doing well.
About the reportedly unsold products, insiders highlighted the cost of making and producing them. Meghan’s hand-crafted, high-quality products don’t come cheap since she doesn’t compromise on quality.
The same goes for her packaging, which was carefully considered and, according to another insider, “all paid for upfront.” The insider added, “This isn’t Etsy pricing…This is luxury production, luxury packing, and luxury storage". Another said, “They wanted total control, and total upside.”
