Meghan Markle’s New Ventures: Ambition or Overreach?

Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, Meghan Markle has embarked on a journey to redefine her public persona, blending philanthropy, media production, and entrepreneurship. Her latest endeavors—a lifestyle brand called As Ever and a podcast series, Confessions of a Female Founder—have sparked both intrigue and criticism. Some applaud her drive to carve an independent path, while others, including royal commentators, argue she’s attempting to “monetize her life” in ways that feel disconnected from public interest. This article explores Meghan’s recent projects, the backlash they’ve faced, and the broader context of her post-royal career, offering a balanced perspective on her evolving legacy.

Meghan Markle has been warned by royal experts to “stop” trying to “monetise her life”Credit: COURTESY OF NETFLIX

The Launch of As Ever

In early 2025, Meghan unveiled As Ever, a lifestyle brand initially launched as American Riviera Orchard in 2024. The brand’s first product, a limited-edition raspberry spread, sold out quickly, generating buzz among fans and media. Marketed as a reflection of Meghan’s Montecito lifestyle, As Ever promises home goods, recipes, and curated products, with hints of expansion into cookware and pet accessories. A Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, complements the brand, showcasing her hosting cooking segments with celebrity friends like Chrissy Teigen and Mindy Kaling. The show, which premiered in January 2025, aims to blend authenticity with aspirational living, drawing on Meghan’s pre-royal blogging days with The Tig.

However, the brand’s rollout has drawn sharp criticism. Royal commentators Esther Krakue and Jack Royston, speaking on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show, labeled the venture “vacuous” and “boring.” Krakue argued that selling jam and curating lifestyle products lacks substance, stating, “Your millionaire lifestyle is not interesting enough to people who are struggling.” Royston suggested Meghan’s shift to “vanilla” projects reflects complacency, a retreat from the bold, controversial stance of her royal exposés to safer but less impactful territory. The high price point of As Ever’s products—rumored to be premium—has also sparked debate about accessibility, with some X users calling it “tone-deaf” amid global economic challenges.

Writer and broadcaster Esther Krakue and Newsweek’s chief royal correspondent Jack Royston got candid on Meghan’s podcast and her As Ever jamCredit: The Sun

Esther slammed the Duchess for promoting “vacuous, empty and boring things”Credit: The Sun

The Podcast: Confessions of a Female Founder

Meghan’s podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder, debuted in April 2025 with an episode featuring Bumble founder Whitney Wolfe Herd. Titled “The Evolution of an Entrepreneur,” it explored the challenges of launching a business under public scrutiny. Meghan shared personal anecdotes, including her postpartum health struggles and sleepless nights thinking about As Ever, aiming to connect with listeners on a human level. The podcast builds on her earlier Spotify series, Archetypes, which tackled female stereotypes but ended after one season in 2023.

Critics, however, found the podcast lacking depth. Royston noted that it offered “no substance” on business-building, avoiding tough questions about Wolfe Herd’s challenges, such as Bumble’s declining share price. “Meghan doesn’t want to pressure her guests, probably because they’re her friends,” he said, suggesting her personal ties hindered journalistic rigor. Krakue echoed this, describing the series as “romanticized” and unrelatable, arguing that Meghan and her guests inhabit a privileged world disconnected from everyday struggles. X posts reflected similar sentiments, with one user writing, “It’s just wealthy women patting each other’s backs—zero business lessons.”

A Shift in Strategy

Meghan’s current projects mark a pivot from the explosive revelations of her royal past. Between 2021 and 2023, she and Harry dominated headlines with their Oprah interview, Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, and Harry’s memoir Spare. These ventures, while commercially successful, drew criticism for airing family grievances, damaging their reputation in some circles. Royston observed, “They did the royal bombshells thing—it destroyed their reputation, so they had to stop.” The couple’s new focus—on lifestyle, philanthropy, and “safe” content—appears to be an attempt to rebuild their brand without alienating audiences.

This shift has roots in their post-royal goals. After moving to California, Meghan and Harry launched the Archewell Foundation, which supports mental health and media literacy initiatives. They secured multimillion-dollar deals with Netflix and Spotify, though their Spotify partnership ended abruptly in 2023 after Archetypes failed to renew. Meghan’s investments in female-led businesses, like Clevr Blends and Cesta Collective, align with her advocacy for women’s empowerment. Yet, critics argue these efforts lack the global impact she once promised, with As Ever’s jam jars and curated ShopMy page seen as trivial compared to her royal platform.

Meghan’s jam has been compared to ‘slimy baby food’Credit: Twitter

The Critics’ Case

The backlash against Meghan’s ventures centers on three main critiques:

Lack of Relevance: Commentators like Krakue argue that Meghan’s focus on luxury goods and personal anecdotes feels out of touch. “People don’t care about your jam when they’re struggling to pay bills,” she said, pointing to a disconnect between Meghan’s elite lifestyle and broader economic realities.

Missed Opportunities: Royston suggested Meghan’s podcast could have been “way better” with deeper questions and less deference to guests. Her reluctance to engage with controversy—perhaps a reaction to past backlash—has led to content critics call “vanilla” and uninspiring.

Over-Reliance on Royal Cachet: Some accuse Meghan of capitalizing on her duchess title without offering substance. A Fox News report noted that As Ever’s rapid sell-outs were “no doubt” tied to her royal status, not product innovation. X users have called her ventures “grifting,” arguing she’s monetizing fame rather than earning it through meaningful work.

These critiques are not new. Since her royal exit, Meghan has faced accusations of being opportunistic, with terms like “Megxit” framing her as a disruptor. Her defenders, however, argue that such criticism is steeped in bias, pointing to her identity as a mixed-race American woman as a factor in the scrutiny she faces.

The Supporters’ Perspective

Meghan’s advocates see her ventures as a natural evolution. They argue that As Ever reflects her authentic interests—cooking, hosting, and community-building—honed during her Tig days. The brand’s sell-out success, even if driven by curiosity, signals demand, with supporters on X praising her “hustle.” Her podcast, while light on business advice, resonates with fans who value her vulnerability, such as her candid discussion of postpartum preeclampsia. One user wrote, “Meghan’s sharing real struggles—haters just want her to fail.”

Supporters also contend that Meghan faces unfair expectations. As a former royal, she’s criticized for both leveraging her title and for not using it enough. Her shift to “safe” content is seen as strategic, avoiding the toxicity of royal exposés while building a sustainable brand. The Archewell Foundation’s work, like disaster relief grants and mental health campaigns, counters claims of shallowness, though these efforts often receive less attention than her commercial projects.

Contextualizing the Backlash

The criticism of Meghan’s ventures reflects broader tensions. Her royal exit challenged the monarchy’s narrative, making her a lightning rod for debate. The UK media, which she and Harry have sued successfully, often frames her actions negatively, with terms like “vacuous” echoing tabloid tropes. Cultural differences also play a role—her American entrepreneurial spirit clashes with British expectations of royal restraint. Moreover, gendered and racial biases persist, with Meghan’s ambition scrutinized more harshly than similar moves by other celebrities.

Economic context adds another layer. In 2025, global inflation and cost-of-living pressures amplify sensitivity to displays of wealth. Meghan’s curated lifestyle, while aspirational, risks alienating those who see it as unattainable. Yet, her defenders argue that entrepreneurship is her right, especially after the palace restricted their “Sussex Royal” brand, forcing them to forge independent paths.

Lessons and Future Prospects

Meghan’s journey offers insights for her and her critics:

Audience Alignment: To broaden appeal, Meghan could balance aspirational content with relatable initiatives, perhaps tying As Ever to charitable causes like her Grenfell cookbook project.

Depth Over Comfort: Her podcast might gain traction by tackling tougher topics or featuring diverse voices, moving beyond her social circle to offer universal insights.

Navigating Controversy: Embracing calculated risks, as Krakue suggested, could rekindle public interest without revisiting royal drama. Meghan’s past advocacy—on gender equality and mental health—shows she can handle bold topics.

Transparency: Addressing criticism head-on, perhaps through interviews or op-eds, could humanize her brand and counter perceptions of detachment.

Looking ahead, Meghan’s Netflix deal ensures visibility, with With Love, Meghan renewed for a second season. As Ever’s expansion into new products suggests confidence, though its long-term success depends on quality and affordability. Harry’s ongoing work with the Invictus Games and his 2025 security appeal keep the couple in the public eye, but Meghan’s ventures will likely define their financial future.

Meghan Markle’s post-royal career is a study in ambition, resilience, and reinvention. As Ever and Confessions of a Female Founder reflect her desire to build something meaningful, yet they’ve sparked debate about relevance and authenticity. Critics call her efforts shallow; supporters see a woman navigating a hostile landscape with creativity. The truth lies in between—a former royal striving to redefine success, learning that fame alone isn’t enough. As she refines her approach, Meghan’s story remains a compelling lens on fame, privilege, and the pursuit of purpose in a skeptical world.