Meghan Markle made her first public appearance after receiving backlash over the release of her “As Ever” range earlier this week.
The Duchess of Sussex appeared to brush off the negative comments as she enjoyed a night out with friends at the luxurious Polo Bar in Manhattan, followed by a trip to the Broadway production of Gypsy—a show that debuted in November 2024.
A Glamorous Evening in New York
Arriving at the event in a four-car motorcade, Meghan, a mom of two, seemed unfazed by the recent criticism surrounding her brand.
According to the New York Post, she later took to Instagram to share a series of photos from her evening, where she captured both the glamour of the night and her emotional moment meeting actress Audra McDonald.
In the first photo, Meghan can be seen embracing McDonald, who plays the iconic role of Momma Rose in Gypsy.
The two share a heartfelt moment, gazing into each other’s eyes while other cast members stand behind them.
Meghan also posted additional images with the rest of the cast and crew, including a video capturing the moment she met McDonald.
Fashion Forward with a Carolina Herrera Look
For the occasion, Meghan wore a stylish $1,390 Houndstooth Linen-Blend Maxi Skirt by designer Carolina Herrera, paired with a $448 silk button-down by Veronica Beard.
She completed the ensemble with a pair of black suede pumps from Aquazzura, priced at $609.
In a gesture that delighted her fans, Meghan included links to the outfits on her ShopMy page, allowing her followers to purchase the pieces.
A Heartfelt Tribute to Audra McDonald
In her Instagram post, Meghan gushed about meeting McDonald for the first time, sharing her admiration for the actress’s performance.
“Her performance will leave you absolutely speechless,” Meghan wrote, praising the powerful emotions that filled the theater.
“I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house, and if the theater didn’t have to close for the night, the standing ovation would still be happening.”
The Launch of As Ever Amid Mixed Reactions
Meghan’s appearance in New York coincided with the launch of her new lifestyle brand, As Ever, and her podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder, in collaboration with Lemonada Media.
The product range, which includes items like raspberry spread, flower sprinkles, and pancake mix, sold out almost immediately.
The wildflower honey, priced at a premium, was gone within five minutes.
However, the launch has not been met with universal praise. Columnist Maureen Callahan from DailyMail.com criticized the range, calling it “snobby” and “superficially sweet.”
She specifically mentioned the crepe mix, comparing it to undercooked pancakes, and found the shortbread cookie mix too sweet and salty without offering any distinctive flavor.
The flower sprinkles, Callahan noted, were unappealing in texture, resembling “colored lint.”
Disappointment Over the Infamous Jam
One of the most anticipated products, Meghan’s raspberry spread, received scathing reviews.
Despite Meghan’s description of it as “her jam,” it failed to meet expectations.
During a taste test, the spread was found to be overly sweet and difficult to use, as it dripped uncontrollably, making a mess on toast.
The spread’s strong lemon flavor also overshadowed the natural taste of the fruit, and its thin consistency left the bread soggy.
Meghan had previously explained on her Netflix show With Love, Meghan that her preserves couldn’t technically be called jam due to the ratio of sugar to fruit, suggesting that traditional jam’s sweetness masks the fruit flavor.
However, critics found her raspberry spread to be too sugary and more reminiscent of a dessert sauce than a traditional preserve.
What’s Next for As Ever?
While Meghan’s new venture has generated both excitement and criticism, it’s clear that her brand has a dedicated following.
Whether or not her products live up to their hype remains to be seen, but Meghan’s continued presence in the public eye, alongside her evolving business ventures, ensures that all eyes will be on what comes next.