Meghan Markle kicked off 2025 with high hopes and a splashy Instagram comeback, but the year has proven challenging for the Duchess of Sussex as she attempted to establish herself as a lifestyle brand entrepreneur.
The duchess returned to social media on New Year’s Day with a carefree video of herself running along a beach and writing “2025” in the sand. The post signaled her intention to reenter the public sphere on her own terms, and she followed through by launching multiple ventures throughout the year.
Her main project was “With Love, Meghan,” a Netflix cooking and lifestyle series that premiered in March. The show featured the duchess preparing simple dishes like one-pot pasta with chard and tomatoes, making homemade bath salts, and hosting friends at her California home. She also launched a podcast called “Confessions of a Female Founder” and rebranded her lifestyle business from American Riviera Orchard to As Ever, an online shop selling items like jam, edible flower sprinkles, and cookie mix.
“This new chapter is an extension of what has always been my love language,” Meghan wrote on Instagram when announcing As Ever. “Beautifully weaving together everything I cherish—food, gardening, entertaining, thoughtful living, and finding joy in the everyday.”
However, the response to her Netflix series proved disappointing. Critics across the board took issue with the show’s execution, with particularly harsh words coming from outlets that had previously been supportive of Meghan. Vulture called it “an utterly deranged bizarro world voyage into the center of nothing,” while noting that Meghan appeared overly concerned with public perception.
The show also became fodder for TikTok parodies, with users poking fun at moments like Meghan transferring store-bought pretzels into a personalized clear bag for a guest. Another moment that raised eyebrows came when actress Mindy Kaling called her “Meghan Markle,” prompting the duchess to respond, “you know I’m Sussex now.”
“With Love, Meghan” currently holds a 23 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes across two seasons and a Christmas special. The holiday episode earned particularly pointed commentary, with the Washington Post questioning what direction Meghan’s post-royal career was taking. One columnist noted that guests on the show often seemed uncomfortable, joking that they appeared as if they’d been kidnapped and told they could leave only after making lavender syrup.
The criticism centered on a disconnect between Meghan’s presentation and her audience. Some found her advice too basic—like suggesting people hang ornaments to catch the light—while other suggestions, like creating personalized Advent calendars for family members, felt out of touch for working parents with limited time.
Behind the scenes, Meghan and Prince Harry renegotiated their Netflix deal, signing a new “first look” agreement that maintains their partnership with the platform but reportedly on less favorable terms than their original contract.
Her As Ever shop also faced initial hurdles, struggling with inventory shortages that prevented many customers from purchasing the products Meghan promoted. Though some of these technical issues have been resolved, the year ends with Meghan still working to prove herself in the competitive lifestyle and entertainment space.
Despite the setbacks, Meghan has continued posting on Instagram throughout the year, including a viral video of herself heavily pregnant in the hospital, doing the “Baby Momma” dance in an attempt to induce labor.
As 2025 draws to a close, the duchess finds herself at a crossroads—her reinvention as a lifestyle influencer has generated significant attention, but not necessarily the kind she was hoping for when she began the year with that optimistic run along the beach.
