Netflix prolongs agreement with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry - somewhat indirectly
Meghan Markle's burgeoning lifestyle empire, particularly her product line As Ever, continues to grow but faces mixed public and expert reactions. As Ever, which includes products like jams, wines, and lifestyle goods centered on wellness and domesticity, embodies Markle's personal brand focused on luxury and comfort.
The latest addition to As Ever is a second vintage of their rose wine, which sold out within 45 minutes. The success of this second release demonstrates the strong demand for Markle's branded products. However, some royal and brand experts criticize her efforts as leveraging her marriage to Prince Harry for profit and question the authenticity of her domestic lifestyle branding.
Netflix, which has been a partner in some of Markle's lifestyle programming, appears to be distancing itself from her ventures. Reports suggest that the streaming platform is quietly backing away from Meghan Markle's projects, contrasting with Prince Harry's move toward a more independent public identity and solo engagements.
Meanwhile, Harry has hinted at starting another charity in Sentebale's image, following his resignation as patron of the charity in March in solidarity with the charity's board. An internal dispute at Sentebale played out publicly, with Dr. Sophie Chandauka accusing Harry of bullying and harassment, but the British charity watchdog found no evidence of this.
In the realm of entertainment, Netflix is excited to continue their partnership with Archewell Productions, the production company co-founded by Meghan and Harry. The new deal between Meghan Markle and Netflix is a "multi-year, first look" basis, meaning Netflix gets first dibs on any projects they want to create via Archewell Productions.
One of the announced projects under this partnership is a seasonal special titled "With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration", set to air later this year. The second season of "With Love, Meghan", a romantic comedy series, is expected to drop later this month. Another project in the works is the adaptation of Canadian author Carley Fortune's romance novel "Meet Me At the Lake".
As for As Ever, the brand is expected to expand into other product categories as a result of the new deal. The success of the rose wine and the continued investment from Netflix suggest a big bet on Meghan's continued success as a rose-slinging, flower-confetti-sprinkling lifestyle success story. Despite the mixed reactions, it's clear that As Ever is here to stay.
- The media is abuzz with the upcoming expansion of Meghan Markle's brand, As Ever, into new product categories.
- The latest news in entertainment features the Netflix-Archewell Productions partnership, selecting Meghan Markle's projects through a "multi-year, first look" deal.
- Celebrities like Meghan Markle are often criticized for leveraging their relationships for profit, as spotted in comments from some royal and brand experts.
- The success of As Ever's rose wine and the continued collaboration with Netflix indicate a promising future for Meghan Markle's lifestyle, food-and-drink, and entertainment-focused brand.
