Martha Stewart, a prominent figure in the homemaking and lifestyle industry, has voiced doubts about Meghan Markle's transition from acting and royalty into a recognized lifestyle personality. Stewart specifically questioned the coherence of Markle's career path, which has included acting, becoming a royal, and now hosting a lifestyle television show.
"If you’re an actress, it’s hard to then transition to a princess and then from a princess into a homemaking guru on a television show," Stewart told People magazine. "It doesn’t sort of follow. So go from there."
Stewart's remarks came as she discussed Markle's Netflix series, "With Love, Meghan," which premiered in March 2025. The show featured Markle sharing ideas on cooking, gardening, hosting, and entertaining with celebrity guests, and launched alongside her lifestyle brand, As Ever. The brand has offered products such as fruit spreads, honey, tea, wine, candles, and chocolate.
Stewart, who has built her own extensive lifestyle empire, shared her perspective on building credibility in the industry. "Authenticity, to me, is everything, and to be authentic and knowledgeable about your subject matter is extremely important," she stated in a previous interview with Yahoo Lifestyle. She added that while she does not object to other celebrities entering the lifestyle arena, she offered a simple "Good luck."
Stewart's own career began with a catering business and her first cookbook, "Entertaining," in 1982. Her brand subsequently expanded into magazines, television, books, retail partnerships, and home products, establishing her as a self-made female billionaire in 1999.
Markle, who stepped back as a senior working royal with Prince Harry in 2020 and moved to California, has increasingly focused on media and business ventures. In March 2026, Netflix and Markle announced the end of their partnership for "With Love, Meghan" and the As Ever brand, with Markle continuing to operate the lifestyle brand independently. A Netflix spokesperson noted that "Meghan’s passion for elevating everyday moments in beautiful yet simple ways inspired the creation of the As Ever brand, and we are glad to have played a role in bringing that vision to life."
Stewart recently encountered Markle at a dinner party in California. "I had dinner with Meghan Markle the other night," Stewart said. "We were both guests at a dinner party in California. And she had just gotten back from the palace." Stewart noted that their interaction was brief.
Markle's visit to Britain with Prince Harry and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, in July marked their first trip to England in four years. During that visit, King Charles and Queen Camilla hosted the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for a private meeting at Highgrove House. The Sussexes moved to California in 2020 after their departure from senior royal duties.