Meghan Markle Pushes Forward With As Ever Brand And Australia Appearance As She Navigate Hollywood Setbacks

Meghan Markle is pressing ahead with her lifestyle brand As Ever and a paid speaking engagement in Australia, even as her production partnership with Netflix faces changes and speculation swirls about tensions in her marriage to Prince Harry.

The Duchess of Sussex, 44, appeared barefoot in a new promotional video posted on As Ever’s Instagram on Tuesday night, demonstrating flower-arranging skills and tablescaping for a limited-edition tea box priced at around $191. The clip, which showed her arranging a “complicated” floral display, highlights her continued focus on lifestyle content following the end of Netflix’s direct investment in the brand.

Markle and Prince Harry, also 41, announced in March 2026 that their Archewell Productions company would develop a new fictional series based on the world of polo for Netflix, while promising additional projects across multiple streaming platforms. The couple’s production firm has faced challenges, with some Hollywood insiders describing slowed momentum after earlier Archewell content underperformed expectations. A spokesperson for the couple insisted that Markle’s lifestyle series “With Love, Meghan” is not canceled and will return for seasonal specials.

The latest developments come as the Sussexes prepare for their first joint trip to Australia since 2018. Markle is scheduled to speak at the Her Best Life luxury wellness retreat in Sydney from April 17-19, an event with ticket prices ranging from about $2,699 to $3,199 per person. Prince Harry is set to appear at the InterEdge Psychosocial Safety Summit in Melbourne. A petition with more than 35,000 signatures has called for no use of Australian taxpayer funds for the visit, noting the mix of business and private engagements.

Reports surfaced Thursday claiming Prince Harry is “furious” over Markle’s paid appearance at the wellness event, with some insiders describing it as a potential “tasteless money-grab” ahead of the couple’s tour. The claims, which could not be independently verified, add to ongoing tabloid speculation about strains in the couple’s relationship. Separately, broadcaster commentary suggested Markle may be “pretty annoyed” with Harry following the leak of alleged flirty text messages.

Markle’s As Ever brand launched with Netflix support last year alongside the lifestyle series, which featured cooking, gardening and hosting tips with celebrity guests. In early March 2026, Netflix confirmed it was ending its investment in the lifestyle company, though the streamer had never planned long-term backing. Viewership for the second season of “With Love, Meghan” reportedly declined, and the show did not receive an order for a full third season. Markle is now running As Ever independently, with recent promotions focusing on tea, chocolate and home goods.

A website glitch earlier in 2026 briefly revealed strong early sales for As Ever products, which royal commentators interpreted as a positive sign for Markle’s pivot to direct-to-consumer business. One analyst suggested the success could embolden her to return to the U.K. later this year as a “Californian business elite,” potentially complicating family dynamics with the Waleses.

The Sussexes restructured their charitable arm at the end of 2025, renaming Archewell Foundation to Archewell Philanthropies and shifting to a fiscal sponsorship model. The change was framed as allowing greater flexibility and family involvement, including with their children, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4. Several senior staffers departed around the same time, leading to reports that the organization entered 2026 “substantially weakened.” In February, the couple visited a refugee camp in Jordan as part of a Middle East trip focused on health, women’s empowerment and humanitarian issues.

Public interest in the couple remains high, fueled by occasional glimpses into their Montecito life. On New Year’s Day, As Ever shared photos marking a “Reset & Rituals” theme for 2026, including black-and-white images of Markle with Lilibet and a casual anniversary portrait of the couple. Markle has largely kept her children’s faces obscured in public posts, citing privacy concerns.

Relations with the British royal family continue to show little sign of thaw. In March, Harry and Meghan issued a strongly worded statement accusing royal author Tom Bower of pushing “deranged conspiracy and melodrama” after extracts from his book alleged that Queen Camilla had described Markle as having “brainwashed” Harry. The couple rejected the claims as fixation rather than fact.

Speculation persists about a possible return to Britain. Some reports suggest Markle could join Harry for Invictus Games-related events in Birmingham in July, marking her first U.K. visit since Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in 2022. Others point to ongoing security disputes and family rifts as barriers. Prince William has reportedly taken a firmer stance against any significant reintegration of the Sussexes.

Markle’s Hollywood ambitions have encountered mixed results since the couple stepped back as working royals in 2020 and relocated to California. Early projects, including the Netflix deal and Spotify podcast “Archetypes,” generated significant upfront payments but faced criticism over delivery and audience numbers. The polo series announcement signals continued efforts to expand their media footprint beyond lifestyle content.

At the same time, Markle has maintained selective public appearances, including attending the 2026 Fifteen Percent Pledge Fundraising Gala in Los Angeles honoring Tina Knowles. She has also been linked to potential cameo roles and other entertainment ventures, though details remain limited.

Critics and supporters alike continue to debate the Sussexes’ post-royal path. Some commentators describe Markle’s business moves as a determined effort to build an independent brand, while others portray the couple as struggling to translate royal fame into sustainable Hollywood success. Tabloid coverage frequently highlights perceived tensions, staff turnover and financial pressures, though representatives for the couple have dismissed much of it as inaccurate or agenda-driven.

As the Australia trip approaches, security and logistical details are expected to draw attention, particularly given past controversies over public funding and privacy. The couple has emphasized that the visit combines personal, philanthropic and professional elements.

Markle’s latest promotional activity underscores her commitment to As Ever as a standalone venture. The brand’s focus on mindful living, home entertaining and limited-edition products aligns with her pre-royal interests in lifestyle blogging and acting. Whether the independent model can achieve long-term commercial success remains an open question in an increasingly crowded wellness and lifestyle market.

For now, the Duchess appears focused on the present. In the flower-arranging clip, she moved confidently through the demonstration, offering tips that echoed the approachable tone of her Netflix series. Supporters see it as evidence of resilience; detractors view it as another chapter in an ongoing quest for relevance outside palace walls.

The coming weeks will likely bring more details about the Australia engagements and any further Archewell Productions announcements. As Markle and Harry balance family life, philanthropy and business ambitions, their every move continues to captivate audiences on both sides of the Atlantic.