The Duchess of Sussex has announced a major first for her lifestyle brand, while sharing a sweet detail about the early days of her relationship with Prince Harry
Meghan Markle has opened up about the early days of her ‘love story’ with Prince Harry as she plugged a major announcement for her brand As Ever. The Duchess of Sussex revealed that the brand is collaborating with a major Los Angeles hotspot to host a pop-up shop full of her products, from her Christmas gifting range to jars of her famous jam.
Meghan took to Instagram to share the first glimpse of the pop-up shop, and in the caption, discussed the ‘full circle moment’ between her brand and her relationship, as the venue of the shop holds a special place in her heart.
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The Duchess of Sussex shared that Soho House where the pop-up is taking place is significant to her and Prince Harry, as it ties back to their first date.
In the caption of her Instagram video, Meghan wrote: “Talk about a full circle moment! In my old stomping ground of West Hollywood, with a brand, family and friends that have been part of my life for so long…and also a part of my love story with H (since our very first date was at a SH restaurant).”
Harry and Meghan have previously opened up about how their whirlwind romance started with a brief one-hour date in Soho House in London in 2016, with the couple tying the knot just two years later.
While some fans of Meghan have expressed their excitement over the pop-up shop to browse her As Ever products in person for the first time, others have been critical of the move, with some even claiming it is a sign her brand is struggling to sell products.
One critic wrote on X: “”These pop-ups or renting space in a store or in Soho House is lame and a cop out because she has nothing to do with actually selling these products. She ALWAYS takes the easy way, or she cuts corners or cuts out before the failure is flashing in red lights.”
Another royal watcher questioned: “Is this meant to be her mike drop moment she was banging on about? This is so common in the handmade market, you simply rent shelf space. However, it is often the last resort as everything else you’ve tried has failed.”
One social media user questioned the limited store opening hours, which are from 10am to 4pm on weekdays, as they wrote: “That’s bizarre. It’s a home design studio mostly by appointment, why the limited hours during the day.”
Another took aim at the location of the store, which is part of a members only club, saying: “When you’re having to sell in Soho, you know it’s not going well…”
Despite the criticism, some fans of Meghan were thrilled over the physical store and pleaded for the duchess to open a partner shop in London’s Soho House, where her and Harry’s first date took place.
One person wrote online: “Meghan Sussex, please spare a little thought for your global supporters. Maybe the Soho house in London is going to stock some As Ever products in time for Christmas?”
Another revelled in the connection to the duchess’s relationship, saying: “Meghan’s As Ever products, are now available at Soho House. A special place for her and Prince Harry. Where they had their first date and even their first kiss. I love how intentional she is.”
