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Meghan Markle

has always been a magnet for public scrutiny, with every move she makes sparking fresh waves of conversation. From her royal exit to her return to California, the chatter never seems to fade. Now, with her lifestyle brand As Ever making headlines, she is once again at the center of controversy. This time, critics claim she is drifting from her feminist roots in pursuit of allure and gain, reigniting the ever-present judgment that seems to follow her.

As her entrepreneurial venture gains traction, Meghan Markle faces assertions of abandoning her feminist stance for commercial appeal.

Meghan Markle officially launched her lifestyle brand, As Ever, this April, taking a highly personalized promotional route. To market her line of organic jams, flower sprinkles, honey, and wine, the Duchess of Sussex used social media to offer fans a behind-the-scenes look at how she creates the products, along with lessons on how to use them. Newsweek’s royal correspondent, Jack Royston, called this a “big rebrand”

in Channel 5’s latest documentary, Meghan: Duchess for Sale?,

noting how her enduring presence in the kitchen clashed with her past frustration over women being portrayed as kitchen fixtures, as reported by the Daily Mail

. 

Brand culture expert Nick Ede also likened Markle to Martha Stewart — a comparison many see as a stark shift from her 2015 image as a United Nations ambassador. Even after marrying into the British royal family and up until stepping back from royal duties with Prince Harry

in 2020, the Suits

alum remained vocal about women’s rights, holding on to her feminist identity. That, however, appeared to take a back seat with the launch and promotion of her label. While some critics question whether her new venture supports or ditches her feminist stance, one royal expert argues that Markle has always pursued financial independence — something her brand clearly offers.

Read More: Meghan Markle and Fashion: Why It’s More Than Just Clothes and a Power Move

Tied to the crown but drawn to independence, Meghan Markle’s ambitions were never about royal pounds.

Before royal expert Lady Colin Campbell accused Meghan Markle of “milking”

her royal ties to make her As Ever brand successful in a GB News interview, fellow expert Valentine Low, in his 2023 book Courtier — according to The Blast — claimed that the Duchess’ desire for financial freedom was very much one of the reasons she, alongside her husband, bid the monarchy farewell. Markle was reportedly beyond eager to return to having cash funnel directly into her bank account rather than depend on the royal treasury.

As the world knows, the couple did not hesitate to dive straight into this aspect once they made Montecito their new nest. Their personal ventures so far have included multiple deals with Netflix as well as Spotify. Not to forget Prince Harry’s explosive book Spare, and now Markle’s solo venture, As Ever. Amid whispers of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex eyeing a professional breakup

 soon, the duo’s dynamic has appeared more promising than ever, and so far, the pair – and especially Markle – does not seem to be entertaining the anti-feminist charges levelled against her.

Read More: Meghan Markle Gets Candid on Early Struggles ‘With a Closet in Bathroom’ Before ‘Suits’ Changed Everything

Do you think Meghan Markle’s As Ever brand goes against her feminist persona? Let us know in the comments below.