Meghan Markle has once again made waves on social media, this time with a nostalgic nod to Princess Diana.
In a new video, the Duchess of Sussex is seen enjoying a sun-filled day in her Montecito garden while sporting a purple Northwestern University sweater—a look famously worn by her late mother-in-law.
A Casual Day in Montecito
The video, styled in a warm sepia tone, features Meghan, 43, strolling through her garden in sunglasses, embracing a laid-back weekend vibe.
The short clip, captioned “A small break from work to soak in the weekend sunshine,” showcases intimate family moments, including one of her children sweetly offering to help as Meghan watches either Archie or Lilibet water plants with a garden hose.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry can be heard chuckling in the background as Meghan prepares a citrus cocktail using fresh oranges from their property.
A Sweater With a Royal History
Meghan’s choice of attire immediately caught attention.
The purple college sweater closely resembles the one Princess Diana frequently wore in public in 1996, just a year before her passing.
The late princess had received the sweatshirt during her 1995 visit to Northwestern’s Evanston campus, where she helped raise funds for the university’s cancer research center.
Today, the sweater—dubbed the “Princess Diana Sweatshirt”—is a sought-after item sold on platforms like Etsy and eBay, though the whereabouts of Diana’s original remain unknown.
From College Student to Hollywood Star
Meghan’s connection to Northwestern runs deeper than just the sweater.
She was a double major in theater and international studies at the Illinois-based university, graduating in 2003.
After completing her degree, she returned to Los Angeles to pursue acting, securing minor roles before her breakthrough as Rachel Zane in the hit legal drama Suits.
Her acting career came to a halt when she met Prince Harry in Toronto, and their whirlwind romance led her to step away from Hollywood to embrace royal life.
A Glimpse of Family Life
The recent video offers a rare peek into the Sussexes’ daily routine.
Besides the heartwarming scene of their children playing in the garden, Meghan is also seen picking citrus fruit from a tree, squeezing it into a drink, and enjoying the sunny California weather.
The clip captures blooming trees signaling the arrival of spring, a pond shimmering under the sunlight, and their beagle, Mia, joyfully running across the lawn.
Mia, whom the couple adopted two years ago from a rescue facility, has been a cherished member of the family.
Earlier this year, Meghan shared her heartbreak over the passing of their other beagle, Guy.
Timing Ahead of Meghan’s New Netflix Show
This Instagram post arrives just ahead of the global release of Meghan’s Netflix series With Love, Meghan on March 4.
The title and its theme of taking a break from work align with her recent efforts to relaunch her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard. However, the rebranding process has been anything but smooth.
Brand Name Controversy: A Legal Tangle
Meghan’s rebranding has sparked legal complications.
Mark Kolski, the owner of the independent fashion label As Ever NYC, expressed shock upon discovering that Meghan had chosen the same name for her new venture.
Kolski, a former advertising executive and restaurateur, started his brand in 2015 and officially registered it in 2017.
After Meghan publicly announced her rebrand, Kolski confirmed that he was seeking legal advice to understand his options for protecting his company.
He revealed that neither Meghan nor her team had reached out to him before the announcement.
“I was not aware before,” he told DailyMail.com, adding, “We don’t have any affiliation with Meghan Markle.”
Kolski’s brand, known for selling one-of-a-kind, reworked vintage clothing, has a distinct aesthetic that overlaps with Meghan’s style.
Given that her past fashion choices include crisp white shirts similar to those his brand features, Kolski believes there’s a strong potential for consumer confusion.
Public Response and Legal Considerations
Following the announcement, As Ever NYC addressed the issue on Instagram, thanking supporters for their concern and emphasizing that they are in no way affiliated with Meghan’s new brand.
The post quickly gained traction, with many followers rallying behind the small business and reinforcing that As Ever NYC is the “one and only.”
Records indicate that while Meghan’s representatives registered As Ever in 2022, the formal application for the trademark was only submitted in September 2024.
This has raised questions about why her team didn’t notice Kolski’s established brand earlier.
A Rocky Road for American Riviera Orchard
This isn’t the first trademark hurdle for Meghan.
Her initial brand name, American Riviera Orchard, faced opposition from Royal Riviera, a 90-year-old company that argued the similarity could lead to consumer confusion.
The U.S. Trademark Office had also requested Meghan to provide more clarity on the name’s scope, giving her three months to refine her application.
In an Instagram post, Meghan stated that the name change was influenced by geographic restrictions, as American Riviera tied her to a specific location.
However, public records suggest the shift was more likely prompted by legal challenges.
What’s Next for Meghan’s Brand?
With legal complications surrounding her rebranding, Meghan faces an uphill battle in securing her business identity.
Whether As Ever will withstand the scrutiny and trademark disputes remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, all eyes are on her upcoming Netflix series, which could either amplify her brand’s success or add more fuel to the ongoing controversies.
As the March 4 release date nears, Meghan’s latest social media moment—though seemingly a simple family video—has only intensified discussions about her evolving public image and business ventures.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn