Meghan Markle’s Defining Year
Meghan Markle’s Breakout Year: From With Love, Meghan to As Ever
Meghan Markle’s surprising, and long-awaited return to Instagram was the first clear sign that this year would be different. After years away, her reappearance felt intentional, though at the time it appeared to point toward a single moment: the upcoming January premiere of With Love, Meghan.
That assumption underestimated the year ahead. While With Love, Meghan offered an early glimpse into her evolving creative direction, it proved to be only one part of a much broader and more ambitious run. Over the months that followed, Meghan steadily rolled out projects spanning media, food, lifestyle, and philanthropy.
Looking back, her Instagram return marked the beginning of a period in which Meghan wasn’t simply present in the public eye, but actively shaping the narrative around her work and public life.
The year did not unfold without interruption. Plans around With Love, Meghan shifted when devastating wildfires in California delayed the show’s launch until March. During that period, Meghan and Harry focused on supporting their local community, donating, helping serve food to those affected, and sharing ways others could offer support through their website.
When With Love, Meghan premiered, it did so to immediate attention and fanfare from critics and fans alike. The series debuted in the Top 10 across multiple countries, holding its position for several days and quickly establishing itself as more than a curiosity release.
Across the eight-episode season, the show positioned Meghan as both a student and a teacher within the lifestyle space. It blended domestic ritual, conversation, and intentional living to create something that felt considered and distinct.
The series also sparked conversation around Black women in lifestyle spaces. Meghan’s one-pot pasta recipe went viral, with viewers recreating it at home and sharing their versions online, many highlighting their Le Creuset cookware in the process. The show was renewed shortly after.
In March, Meghan released a new podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder, offering a candid look at her approach to building and leadership; a fitting prelude to the launch of As Ever weeks later. The podcast topped the Apple Podcasts charts and remained within the Top 10 for several days.
As Ever launched on April 2 with an initial release of eight products, all priced under $15 with the exception of a limited-edition wildflower honey with honeycomb. The debut collection included raspberry spread in keepsake packaging, herbal lemon ginger tea, herbal peppermint tea, herbal hibiscus tea, flower sprinkles, a crêpe mix, a shortbread cookie mix with flower sprinkles, and the honey.
Demand was immediate. The entire launch sold out in just 45 minutes, underscoring both the appetite for the brand and Meghan’s ability to translate lifestyle storytelling into consumer response.
Meghan also continued her advocacy work through Archewell Philanthropies and the Archewell Parents Network, supporting the No Child Lost to Social Media campaign focused on protecting children and amplifying the voices of affected families.
The initiative culminated in an April event in New York, where Meghan and Harry stood alongside families affected by online harm to formally unveil No Child Lost to Social Media, amplifying calls for greater safety and accountability online.
Amid a busy year, Meghan also made time for moments of fun, attending Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour in Los Angeles and a James Taylor concert. The Sussexes also marked a personal milestone, celebrating seven years of marriage with a curated mood board shared on Instagram.
A second As Ever launch followed in June, with products once again selling out (this time within eight hours), reinforcing sustained demand beyond the initial debut.
In August, With Love, Meghan returned for a second season with a quieter premiere, continuing the series without the fanfare of its debut while maintaining steady interest.
Later in the year, Meghan made a surprise appearance at Paris Fashion Week to support her longtime friend Pierpaolo Piccioli at Balenciaga, marking the debut of his first collection for the house. Taking a front-row seat, she was seen greeting Anna Wintour, a moment that underscored her continued presence within global fashion circles.
Shortly after, Meghan attended Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Summit in Washington, D.C., where she spoke candidly about her journey toward becoming a founder.
To close out the year, Meghan returned with As Ever’s holiday collection, including a curated jam set that landed on Oprah’s Favorite Things list. A With Love, Meghan holiday special followed, debuting in the Top 10, alongside a limited-edition chocolate collaboration with Compartés that sold out shortly after launch.
The year also included physical activations, with As Ever appearing through pop-ups at Godmothers and Soho House, extending the brand into real-world spaces. A high-profile cover appearance with Harper’s Bazaar rounded out a year defined by visibility, output, and success.