Meghan Markle plans to add hotels & restaurants to business empire as she trademarks ‘As Ever' brand for ‘hospitality'

Scottish Sun

5 hours ago

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THE Duchess of Sussex is adding hotels and restaurants to her brand wish list as she goes on a social media charm offensive to win new fans.
Ex-actress Meghan is trademarking her lifestyle firm As Ever for 'hospitality services'.
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Meghan Markle is adding hotels and restaurants to her brand wish list
Credit: Instagram
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Meghan has been going on a social media charm offensive to win new fans
Credit: Instagram
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Last week Meghan shared a video of her twerking in hospital in a bid to induce labour when she was pregnant and overdue with Lilibet
Credit: Instagram/Megan
It will include places to stay, 'provision of food and drink' and temporary lodgings.
The 43-year-old could serve some of her own food ­creations — including recipes flaunted on her Netflix series With Love, Meghan.
Experts say it shows her ambition to move forward and focus on the future, while husband Prince Harry, 40, seems stuck reflecting on the past.
She has spent the year rebranding herself away from ­runaway royal to a lifestyle, entertaining and star hostess.
Brand experts said hotels and restaurants fit in with her lifestyle business image.
In the first episode of her eight-part TV series in March, Meghan said: 'When I have someone stay, one of my favourite things to do is prep the guest room.'
A second series has already been filmed and will be released in the autumn.
Her lifestyle brand's website says: 'As Ever is more than a brand — it's a love language. ­
"Created by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, As Ever welcomes you to a collection of products, each inspired by her long-lasting love of cooking, entertaining and hostessing.'
On Saturday, her As Ever page posted a new picture of her running through the sea in a white dress.
Meghan shares rare video and pictures of Lilibet's 4th birthday celebrations at Disney
It was captioned: 'So excited for all the good to come!
'Running into the weekend like', with an ocean wave emoji added.
She has also been increasingly active on Instagram after relaunching her personal account on New Year's Day.
Last week, she shared an 80-second video of her twerking in hospital in a bid to induce labour when she was pregnant and overdue with Lilibet.
Her new products are marketed at Americans and not the UK
It attracted criticism in Britain for being vulgar.
But a source said: 'Meghan is very pleased with the video.
'In the UK everyone's reaction has been a bit prudish but everywhere else, particularly in America and especially with young people, it's been a huge hit.
'CALIFORNIAN ROYALTY'
'Her new products are marketed at Americans and not the UK.'
Meghan has also posted videos of her family at Disneyland, bee-keeping with daughter Lilibet, and going to a Beyonce concert with Harry.
Her As Ever Instagram page launched in February.
Posts include pictures of her gardening, preparing fresh fruit and baking.
PR and branding expert Jack Izzard, of Gallia Communications, said of her trademark application: 'In terms of positioning, it's not a million miles from where As Ever is.
"She is very much positioning herself as a star hostess, Californian royalty who makes her guests feel welcome.
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Meghan has also posted videos of her family at Disneyland
Credit: Instagram
'The issue she's potentially going to have is that's a completely different skill set, running a hospitality business.
'A night in an As Ever B&B will be several hundred pounds.
"That's really going to blow up if it's bad.'
She always intimated she was stifled by life in the Royal Family
Mr Izzard
Mr Izzard said her recent activities are 'all about her reclaiming her voice' and building her brand.
He added: 'She always intimated she was stifled by life in the Royal Family.
"She's got to earn a living. It's very much 'I'm this Californian hostess now'.
'Harry's still stuck in the past and trying to settle scores.
"She is looking ahead, forging this brand.'
Representatives for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were approached for comment.
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Meghan's recent posts have been more of a hit with Americans than Brits
Credit: Instagram
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Meghan's Netflix series With Love, Meghan will return for a second series
Credit: Netflix
WIll's heartbreak
By Ed Southgate
THE Prince of Wales said watching humans destroy our oceans was 'simply heartbreaking' as he urged world leaders to act by thinking big yesterday.
William's call came in a speech to the Blue Economy and Finance Forum on ocean preservation at the ­Grimaldi Forum in Monaco after meeting France's President Emmanuel Macron.
The prince, whose opening and closing remarks were in French, said those attending were 'united by our deep connection to the ocean and our ­concern for its safety'.
William, in navy suit with a recycled sustainable tie from Wilmok, said the clock was ticking on meeting the target agreed at the 2022 UN Biodiversity Summit aiming to protect at least 30 per cent of the world's land and sea by 2030.
Speaking at the heads of state and government session on the forum's final day, the prince added: 'Watching human activity reduce beautiful sea forests to barren deserts at the base of our oceans is simply heartbreaking.
'For the future of our planet, for the future generations, we must listen to the words of Sir David Attenborough: 'If we save the sea, we save our world'.
'I call on all of you to think big in your actions.'
World leaders were greeted by a blue carpet as they arrived at the event, with William chatting with Mr Macron and other dignitaries.
Addressing an audience of 1,800, William said: 'Rising sea temperatures, plastic pollution and overfishing are putting pressure on fragile ecosystems.
'What once seemed an abundant resource is diminishing before our eyes. We all stand to be impacted. And we are all responsible for change — both negative and positive. But there remains time to turn this tide.'
Later, William said he went through a range of emotions when he saw Sir David's new Ocean film.
He told Enric Sala, who worked on the film: 'I got angry, then sad, then I got frustrated, then I got happy.'
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