Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, has disclosed that fashion was the career path many anticipated she would follow after stepping down as a senior royal, but she opted to pursue a different passion. In a recent podcast interview with Emma Grede, the 43-year-old mother of two explained that while fashion seemed like a natural choice, she felt drawn to explore other interests.
Meghan's Revelation on Career Choices
Speaking candidly, Meghan said: "I knew that I wanted to put something in the world for years — and we’ve been out here for five years now — really trying to decipher, ‘What do I want to share?’ What do I really want to authentically, organically share, and how do I translate that?" The answer, she revealed, was her now-famous raspberry jam, which became the cornerstone of her lifestyle brand, As Ever.
"Truth be told, I had just been making a lot of jams and preserves at home, and I was sharing them as holiday gifts with friends. … So many friends at the same time texted, saying, 'I don’t know what it is, but your jam makes me so happy!’ And I go, ‘Maybe that’s the thing,'" she recounted.
From Local to Global: The As Ever Journey
Meghan shared that her initial plan was to start small with As Ever, perhaps selling at a local farmer's market. However, the venture quickly expanded when she partnered with Netflix for her lifestyle show, "With Love, Meghan." She laughed, saying: "[It went] far beyond my ideas of, 'Oh, I can sell locally, like, get a farmer’s market,' like, I thought that would be cute. So suddenly it just changed quite a bit, and the offerings will expand to meet that same demand and that interest, which I’m grateful for."
Despite the success of As Ever, Meghan acknowledged that fashion remains a possibility for the future. "It was definitely something that people were asking me to get involved with," she said. "I think it could be fun, and I think there’ll be a time for that."
Early Entrepreneurial Spirit
Meghan also reflected on her childhood, revealing an early entrepreneurial streak. She recalled selling scrunchies she made from fabric purchased with her allowance in downtown Los Angeles during fifth or sixth grade, charging $1 each. This early business acumen foreshadowed her later ventures.
The Duchess's comments come as she continues to build her brand outside the royal family, focusing on lifestyle and culinary products that resonate with her personal passions.
