Have you heard about Meghan Markle’s newest business venture? The Duchess of Sussex just launched her lifestyle brand “As Ever” with products like $28 honey and $14 jam. While her fans quickly bought everything within an hour of the launch, many people are wondering if Meghan has lost touch with reality. After all, who pays almost $30 for honey? The former royal’s latest move into the luxury lifestyle space has many scratching their heads about whether she understands what normal people can afford.
Why Meghan changed her brand name at the last minute
If you’ve been following Meghan’s business moves, you might be confused about the name. Wasn’t it supposed to be called “American Riviera Orchard”? Well, that was the plan until Netflix stepped in as a partner. Suddenly, the name changed to “As Ever,” which has caused some problems. Two other businesses already use this name, and they were pretty surprised to see Meghan using it too! The last-minute change shows how Meghan’s team might not have done their homework before launching such a big project.
The name change isn’t just confusing – it might lead to legal issues. The brand logo has been criticized for looking too similar to the historic coat of arms of Porreres, a Spanish town. This kind of oversight happens when you rush a product to market without proper research. It seems like Meghan was in such a hurry to get her products out that she didn’t take the time to make sure everything was unique and legally sound. These kinds of mistakes make her seem disconnected from the real-world consequences that regular business owners face every day.
The prices that have everyone talking
Let’s talk about those prices! Meghan’s “As Ever” product line includes items that most of us would consider basic pantry staples, but with luxury price tags. We’re looking at $12 herbal teas, $14 crepe mix, $14 shortbread cookie mix, and a $14 raspberry spread. But the item that really has people raising their eyebrows is the limited-edition wildflower honey with honeycomb priced at $28. That’s a lot of money for something you can find at a fraction of the cost at your local grocery store!
Despite the high prices, Meghan’s products sold out quickly. The honey was gone in less than five minutes, and the entire collection disappeared within an hour. This shows that Meghan still has plenty of fans willing to pay premium prices for her products. But for the average person struggling with grocery bills these days, spending nearly $30 on a jar of honey or $14 on jam seems completely out of touch with reality. When a basic breakfast of honey on toast could cost you over $40 using Meghan’s products, it’s hard not to question who exactly she thinks her customers are.
Meghan’s response to being called out of touch
When faced with criticism about being out of touch, Meghan had a simple response: “Don’t they know my life hasn’t always been like this?” In a rare interview with the New York Times, she reminded everyone that before meeting Prince Harry in 2016, she was “divorced, in her mid-30s, and unsure where her next job or home would be.” She also pointed out that she’s been working since she was 13 years old, suggesting that she understands what it’s like to struggle and work hard.
But does having a normal past excuse a disconnected present? Many people don’t think so. Meghan now lives in a $14 million mansion in Montecito, California, and clearly has resources most people can only dream of. Her attempt to relate to regular folks while selling premium-priced basic food items seems tone-deaf to many observers. When you’re selling jam that costs three times what most people would pay at the store, claiming you understand everyday struggles doesn’t really hold up. It’s like she’s forgotten what it’s like to check prices before putting items in your shopping cart.
The Le Creuset cookware controversy
This isn’t the first time Meghan has faced criticism for being out of touch. On her Netflix show “With Love, Meghan,” viewers noticed she was using expensive Le Creuset cookware – high-end pots and pans that can cost hundreds of dollars each. When people pointed this out, Meghan seemed genuinely surprised by the backlash. In a moment caught on camera, she asked, “This is a thing, in 2025?” She seemed truly confused that people would question her use of such expensive kitchen items.
Her response to the cookware criticism shows how disconnected she is from everyday reality. While defending herself, Meghan said she had a right to nice things as a successful Black woman. Of course she does – but that misses the point entirely. No one is saying she can’t have nice things. They’re pointing out that presenting yourself as relatable while using kitchen equipment that costs more than some people’s monthly food budget is the very definition of being out of touch. Her inability to understand this criticism just reinforces the impression that she’s living in a bubble.
The strange jam numbering system
Before the official launch, Meghan sent personalized jars of her raspberry jam to 50 famous friends. Each jar had a number on it, which led to some confusion and hurt feelings among the recipients. Celebrities like Chrissy Teigen, Kris Jenner, and Mindy Kaling received these exclusive jars, but then started wondering if the numbers meant anything. Was a lower number better? Did it mean you were more special to Meghan? It sounds silly, but apparently, this became a real issue among Meghan’s celebrity friends.
Meghan had to clarify that there was no ranking system in place, but she noted that “some people started to take the numbering system very personally.” This whole situation feels so removed from normal life. While regular people worry about paying bills and affording groceries, Meghan and her celebrity friends are concerned about jam jar numbers and what they might mean for their status. It’s hard to imagine a scenario that better illustrates the gap between celebrity culture and everyday reality. Most of us would just be happy to receive free jam!
The marketing strategy that feels fake
If you visit the “As Ever” website, you won’t find much there. The homepage simply invites visitors to “save your seat at the table” by subscribing with their email address. This kind of vague, exclusive language is typical of luxury brands trying to create FOMO (fear of missing out). The products were also released in limited quantities, a common marketing strategy to generate demand and make people feel like they need to buy quickly before everything sells out. It’s a strategy that clearly worked, but it also feels manipulative.
Meghan described the launch as a “pivotal moment” and highlighted the repurposable packaging for the jam. Future collections will be released seasonally and are supposedly inspired by Meghan’s “personal essence.” What does that even mean? This kind of flowery marketing language sounds nice but says nothing concrete. It’s the kind of empty talk that makes regular people roll their eyes. When you’re selling basic food items at premium prices, all this fancy language just makes the whole thing seem even more disconnected from real life.
Why Meghan says she “needs to work”
Despite her wealth and royal connections, Meghan insists that she “needs to work.” She told the New York Times that she likes having a career and that her new projects, including “As Ever,” her Netflix show, and her upcoming podcast “Confessions of a Female Founder,” allow her to connect her home life with her work. She seems to want people to know that she values work and doesn’t just sit around her mansion all day. That’s fair enough – most people understand the value of having purpose and being productive.
But there’s a big difference between working because you need money to survive and working because you want creative fulfillment. Most people don’t have the luxury of choosing projects based on what feels personally fulfilling – they work to pay bills and put food on the table. When Meghan talks about “needing” to work while living in extreme luxury and selling overpriced honey, it rings hollow to many ears. It’s like she’s trying to relate to regular working people without acknowledging her extraordinary privilege.
Success despite the criticism
Despite all the criticism and accusations of being out of touch, Meghan’s business ventures are undeniably successful. Her Netflix series “With Love, Meghan” hit the platform’s top 10 list and got over 2.6 million views. A second season has already been filmed and will premiere in fall 2025. Her “As Ever” products sold out almost immediately, with the honey gone in just five minutes. Clearly, there are plenty of people who don’t mind paying premium prices for products associated with the Duchess.
This success shows the power of Meghan’s brand, regardless of the criticism. She has a loyal fan base that has stuck with her through all the royal drama and controversy. She’s finding her niche in the lifestyle world by blending California luxury with royal elegance. While many may find her products overpriced and her attitude out of touch, enough people are willing to buy what she’s selling to make her ventures profitable. In the end, that might be all that matters to Meghan – even if regular folks continue to roll their eyes at $28 honey.
So what does all this tell us about Meghan Markle? While she might want us to remember her humble beginnings, her current lifestyle brand shows just how far she’s moved from ordinary life. There’s nothing wrong with success, but when you’re selling basic food items at luxury prices while claiming to understand everyday struggles, the disconnect is hard to ignore. Maybe Meghan isn’t as out of touch as her critics claim – or maybe her $28 honey says it all.
