As Ever under scrutiny as metadata blunder reveals surprising manufacturing details
Just days before the much-anticipated launch of her Napa Valley rosé on July 1, Meghan Markle's lifestyle brand As Ever is facing renewed criticism—this time over claims of authenticity.
The Duchess of Sussex, who has promoted her brand as rooted in personal recipes and homegrown ingredients, is now being accused of misleading consumers. A recent report by The Mail revealed that the raspberry jam—marketed as being “inspired by the recipe Meghan Markle crafted in her home kitchen”—was actually produced by The Republic of Tea at a factory in Illinois.
The issue came to light when tech-savvy users noticed that product metadata on the As Ever website originally listed “republic-of-tea” as the brand. Though the metadata was swiftly updated to read “As Ever store,” the digital trail sparked widespread backlash, with critics calling it a major misstep that undercuts the brand's promise of authenticity.
Adding fuel to the fire, the report noted that similar products from the same manufacturer are available for a fraction of the As Ever price—raising concerns over transparency and markup.
With her rosé release falling on what would have been Princess Diana’s 64th birthday, the timing of this blunder threatens to overshadow the launch and damage the credibility Meghan has been carefully building around her brand.
