Meghan, Duchess of Sussex rejects ‘influencer’ label – and insists she’s an entrepreneur
Speaking ahead of the launch of her new Netflix cookery series, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex has rejected the label of “influencer” – insisting she instead sees herself as an entrepreneur.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex has rejected the label of “influencer” ahead of the launch of her new Netflix cookery series – insisting she instead sees herself as an entrepreneur.
The 43-year-old is set to debut ‘With Love, Meghan’, an eight-part series, on Tuesday (04.03.25) morning.
It will be accompanied by a merchandise range under the brand ‘As Ever’, marks a return to the spotlight for Meghan, who said it had helped her to “find herself” again.
She told People magazine about the launch: “I see myself as an entrepreneur and a female founder and if the brand ends up influential, then that’s great.”
Meghan, who lives in Montecito, California, with her husband Prince Harry, 40, and their children Archie, five, and Lilibet, three, also spoke about family life.
She recalled how Archie tells her: “Mama, don’t work too hard.”
And she described the Sussex title as “part of (Harry and I’s) love story” and said working on the show had reignited “a spark” in her husband’s eye.
She went on: “It’s almost like a honeymoon period again because it’s exactly how it was in the beginning when he’d watch me scribbling away, writing newsletters, fine-tuning edits and just really being in the details of it.
“I see this spark in his eye when he sees me doing the thing that I was doing when he first met me.”
Meghan’s series has been filmed inside an $8 million mansion near her and Harry’s home.
It will feature Meghan cooking, baking, and arranging flowers while entertaining friends.
The show is seen as a crucial test for the Sussexes’ $100 million Netflix deal, following the success of their ‘Harry and Meghan’ docuseries and the underwhelming reception of their ‘Polo’, ‘Live to Lead’ and ‘Heart of Invictus’ programme.
Netflix’s involvement extends beyond the show, with Meghan revealing the company is also a partner in her business.
She added: “Then Netflix came on, not just as my partner in the show, but as my partner in my business, which was huge.”
The duchess also discussed the recent rebranding of her lifestyle venture from ‘American Riviera Orchard’ to ‘As Ever’.
Trademark filings revealed plans to sell baking mixes under the brand, which could place it in competition with companies such as Betty Crocker and Dr Oetker.
Meghan said: “Last year, I had thought, ‘You know what, American Riviera, that sounds like such a great name, it’s my neighbourhood, it’s a nickname for Santa Barbara’ – but it limited me to things that were just manufactured and grown in this area.”
The name change sparked a reaction from Mark Kolski, 58, owner of independent New York retailer As Ever NYC.
He initially expressed concerns over potential trademark conflicts but later decided not to pursue legal action.
Mr Kolski told the New York News: “I’m not trying to mount some legal offensive here. Right now, I’m just going back to work, and I’m trying to keep the awareness on my brand.”
Meghan also told People about hosting neighbours at her Montecito home during the winter break.
She added: “We hosted a little camp because winter break was long,” she said. “We had several days with different families at our home, and we were able to get to know the parents better, and all the kids could play... it’s a dream.”
The launch of Meghan’s show was delayed from January due to the Los Angeles wildfires.
