Honey, jam and flower sprinkles: Meghan’s As Ever range sells out in 30 minutes
By India McTaggart and Victoria Ward
The Duchess of Sussex has released her range of lifestyle products, with the range appearing to sell out in 30 minutes.
The As Ever range includes a $US14 ($22) jar of raspberry jam, wildflower honey with honeycomb for $US28, and flower sprinkles for $US15.
The goods went on sale in the United States on Wednesday, and the entire product range appeared to have sold out shortly after going live.
Meghan has released her own range of jams, honey, tea and flower sprinkles.
A well-placed source said the items would be made available in small quantities and quickly marked as sold out to generate interest, which is a common marketing ploy.
The duchess’ first collection, comprising eight products, is described as “a glimpse” into her approach to “elevated, everyday living and is inspired by her long-lasting love of cooking, entertaining and hostessing with ease”.
The items have been developed in partnership with Netflix following last month’s release of the first series of her cooking show, With Love, Meghan.
Netflix is understood to have taken charge of the whole production of the As Ever range.
The 43-year-old has described the launch as a “pivotal moment” in her most recent As Ever newsletter, writing that the jam’s packaging can be repurposed.
“Of course, you’ll find the raspberry spread that started it all presented in keepsake packaging that you can repurpose to tuck away love notes or special treasures and to remember this pivotal moment with me,” she said. “Think of it as our time capsule.
“I hope when you see what I’ve worked so hard to create, you’re encouraged to know that whatever life brings, you can do it too.”
On Wednesday, it was announced the duchess’ products will be available to ship throughout the United States “with plans to expand globally”.
She shared a video of her and her mother, Doria Ragland, 68, making a “special” banana pudding inspired by her grandmother’s recipe to celebrate the launch of As Ever.
The eight products in the new range are described as “the staples Meghan turns to time and again in her own kitchen and daily life”, adding that they are designed to “infuse warmth, beauty, and intention into daily rituals”.
The press release added that new collections will be released by As Ever “seasonally,” with new iterations “inspired by Meghan’s personal essence”.
The duchess also advertised the sale with multiple posts on her personal Instagram account, which has 2.6 million followers.
On Tuesday night, she shared a video of her dancing while cooking, writing: “From the start to the finish. What an adventure it’s been. One more sleep!”
The series was widely panned by reviewers, resulting in Ted Sarandos, the co-chief executive officer of Netflix, coming to her defence and insisting that she was “underestimated”.
Criticism ranged from her “ostentatious” use of expensive Le Creuset pots to her viral correction of Mindy Kaling calling her “Meghan Markle” rather than “Sussex”.
In an interview with New York Times Food ahead of her first lifestyle product collection going on sale, Meghan said that her new brand “is a way I can connect my home life and my work”, adding: “I need to work, and I love to work.”
The newspaper reports that she is “hoping to do that without feeding the fires of tabloid headlines and online gossip”.
In response to reports the duchess makes her staff check social media comments about her, the Times said: “Befitting a global brand chief, members of her team comb comment sections and social media so she doesn’t have to.”
The newspaper also described her as being “dismayed” that her jams – the product that “started it all” – have to be labelled as “fruit spreads” because of US Food and Drug Administration regulations.
The duchess has faced trademark challenges since the inception of the brand and was forced to change its initial name from American Riviera Orchard to As Ever after the name was initially denied.
When it’s just her and the children for dinner, she later said, she will often ditch the cooking entirely and rely on heating up veggie burgers, chicken nuggets and Tater Tots at home.
In addition to selling her food products, the duchess has also launched an online shop where her followers can emulate her style by snapping up high-end clothes and accessories.
She will receive a commission on some, but not all, of the products featured, and a well-placed source said the duchess “thinks she’s going to be a billionaire” with a hired team of executives that she believes can get her there.
The Telegraph
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