Meghan Markle Faces Backlash as Royal Fans Reject Her New Brand Name
Meghan Markle has encountered unexpected criticism following the announcement of her newly rebranded lifestyle venture, As Ever.
While the Duchess of Sussex unveiled the name change with enthusiasm, a significant portion of royal fans have voiced their disapproval,
dealing a major blow to her latest business endeavor.
A New Brand, But Not a New Reception
On Tuesday, Meghan took to Instagram to share a video officially introducing As Ever, a rebrand of her previously planned American Riviera Orchard.
The lifestyle brand, set to launch alongside her upcoming Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, aims to offer a range of products inspired by her personal style and experiences.
During the reveal, Meghan explained her decision to change the brand’s name, stating that American Riviera Orchard felt geographically limiting.
“Last year, I thought, you know what, American Riviera—that sounds like such a great name, it’s my neighborhood, it’s a name for Santa Barbara,” she shared in the video. However, she went on to say that the original name restricted the brand’s potential, leading her to opt for As Ever, a name she reportedly secured back in 2022.
Despite Meghan’s enthusiasm, the public response has been overwhelmingly negative.
Poll Reveals Overwhelming Disapproval
A recent Express poll, conducted between February 19 and February 20, surveyed 1,261 readers on their thoughts about Meghan’s brand name. The results were striking—an overwhelming 97% (1,220 votes) of participants stated they did not like the name As Ever. Only 2% (26 votes) responded positively, while 1% (15 votes) remained undecided.
This overwhelming disapproval highlights the challenge Meghan faces in gaining public acceptance for her brand.
Fans Voice Their Displeasure
The comment section of the poll further emphasized the dissatisfaction among royal watchers. Many criticized the name choice, with one user remarking, “It’s a weird name. [It’s] like they did a word cloud and came up with the brand name from that.”
Another commenter took a jab at Meghan’s rebranding efforts, stating, “Why can’t Markle find a name NOT used by another company as well as her logo? She obviously didn’t research it properly.”
Some responses were more dismissive, with one person simply writing, “Whatever,” while another sarcastically quipped, “It’s dreadful, as ever.”
A Pattern of Public Scrutiny
This backlash is not the first time Meghan has faced criticism over her business ventures. Earlier, her attempt to trademark American Riviera Orchard drew skepticism, with critics questioning the originality of the name and its potential success.
Additionally, As Ever has already sparked controversy, with some business owners claiming they have been using the name for years. An Arizona-based photographer, who runs a business under the same title, publicly expressed frustration over Meghan adopting the name, questioning why such a high-profile figure wouldn’t consider the impact on smaller brands.
Can Meghan Overcome the Backlash?
Despite the criticism, Meghan appears committed to pushing forward with her brand. She described As Ever as a reflection of timelessness and consistency, saying, “‘As Ever’ essentially means ‘as it’s always been.’”
The real test, however, will be whether the brand can resonate with consumers beyond the initial controversy. With As Ever set to launch alongside her Netflix series on March 4, Meghan will need to navigate public opinion carefully and ensure that the products and messaging align with consumer expectations.
Final Thoughts
Meghan Markle’s latest brand announcement has sparked debate, with many royal fans rejecting the new name. While some argue that her business decisions lack originality, others believe she continues to face unfair scrutiny regardless of her choices.
With the brand’s official launch approaching, Meghan has a crucial opportunity to shift the narrative and prove that As Ever is more than just a name—it’s a lasting lifestyle brand. Whether the public will come around remains to be seen.
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