Meghan Markle's latest promotional video for her lifestyle brand, "As Ever," has generated discussion online, with some viewers expressing confusion about the marketing strategy. The clip, released recently, features the Duchess of Sussex walking barefoot through her garden, carrying a basket of produce and sipping tea.
The advertisement, captioned "A basket full of summer," shows Markle in a blue-striped shirt and white trousers amidst apples, artichokes, peaches, and tomatoes. The footage is accompanied by the sound of birdsong and Markle smiling at the camera.
However, the video's focus on Markle herself, rather than the brand's products, has led some to question its effectiveness. "I think that's the weakest part of the campaign as the product feels secondary to the personality," one user commented on X (formerly Twitter). Another suggested, "She's not a greengrocer," while a third felt Markle "has no clue who her target market is."
This follows a Father's Day post on the "As Ever" feed earlier in the week, which included a breakfast scene with berry spread, orange juice, and an orange. The Duchess also shared a personal Instagram post featuring a photo of Prince Harry with their children, Archie and Lilibet, captioned: "They're so lucky to have you. We all are. Happy Father's Day to our one and only."
Meanwhile, Prince Harry is reportedly planning a visit to the UK next month with Meghan and their children for the one-year countdown event for the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham. This would be the children's first visit to Britain in four years. Meghan has not made a prolonged visit to the UK since Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in September 2022.
In another recent development, a collaboration between "As Ever" and wellness drinks brand Clevr Blends faced scrutiny. A recipe for a matcha latte promoted as part of "The Strawberry Matcha Set" listed Bonne Maman strawberry preserves as an ingredient, rather than an "As Ever" product. This has been described as an "awkward" oversight by some observers.