Meghan Markle Had ‘Absolutely No Compromise' on Quality With As Ever
As Ever is already producing products, including jams, flower sprinkles, and tea, at a "significant scale," and the same will apply to her first wine, a Napa Valley rosé, to be launched on July 1.
Meghan's first product run sold out in minutes in April, and she recently said on the Aspire with Emma Grede podcast that another instant sell-out would be frustrating to customers ahead of the second run in June.
The company's online shop was then inundated with half a million page views in the week it launched the second batch of products, and completely sold out again.
A source told Newsweek that Meghan was determined not to sacrifice quality and taste, which has meant it has taken time to increase supply.
"The supply chain is constantly changing as the business is growing, as is very normal for any business that's trying to scale," they said.
"The critical thing is maintaining the quality of the product, and sure, you can just go to any bottling plant and anyone who is growing raspberries anywhere in the country and get it done really quickly.
"The reason it's taking time is because there's been absolutely no compromise on the quality, and the ingredients, and the flavor.
"The rate at which the product seems to sell out regardless of the scale and the numbers its proving very difficult but that's a great problem to have."
Claims on social media that Meghan has deliberately limited the quantities to ensure a sell-out run are "just complete nonsense," the source told Newsweek. "We're talking significant scale."
Last week, the British press accused Meghan's brand of hiking prices after it was revealed that the company The Republic of Tea supplied her teas. The Republic of Tea sells its own line for less than half the price of Meghan's.
A source told Newsweek that As Ever's hibiscus tea was a different blend and also had more expensive packaging.
"The hibiscus tea that they sell and the hibiscus tea that she sells, sourced from them, is different. It's a different blend. Her tea is an entirely unique, bespoke blend," they said.
"If you look at the way it is packaged up, there are lots of differences. The packaging and the production that As Ever uses is more expensive than the stuff Tea Republic uses."
As Ever sells three types of tea for $12 each: Lemon Ginger, Hibiscus, and Peppermint. Each set includes 12 tea bags in a metal tin.
The Republic of Tea charges $14.50 for 36 bags of hibiscus tea in a metal tin.
Newsweek has been told the duchess sourced her first wine using grapes from the vineyards of Fairwinds Estate. The Napa Valley rosé is bottled at the Kunde Family Winery in California.
Meghan was particularly eager to support Fairwinds because it was one of the vineyards ravaged by wildfires in the region five years ago.
"In 2020, there were the massive, massive fires that ripped through Napa Valley," the source told Newsweek. "Fairwinds was one of those vineyards, and they're still feeling the effects today.
"It caused over $15 million worth of damage and the duchess and the duke have both contributed significantly to businesses that have been impacted and affected."
The wine launches on Tuesday, July 1, and the As Ever team predicts demand will be high again.
"This is her first foray, but I'm sure there will be the naysayers and the usual suspects out there who will claim that she's only bottled 50 bottles," the source told Newsweek. "That is definitely not the case."
"It's an entirely bespoke, entirely unique, curated blend. She spent months and months and months testing and tasting and letting her friends do testing and tasting and sampling, giving notes back. She's put a lot of love and care into it," they said.
Jack Royston is chief royal correspondent for Newsweek, based in London. You can find him on Twitter at @jack_royston and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.
Do you have a question about King Charles III, William and Kate, Meghan and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We'd love to hear from you.
Related Articles
Princess Charlotte's Big Sister Moments Go ViralMeghan Markle to Release First Wine Amid WarningsTears as Amal Clooney Honors Girl Who Rejected 'Child Bride' PathPrince George's Aura Goes Viral: 'Future King'
2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Meghan Markle Refuses To Film Netflix Show Inside Her Montecito Home, Instead Returns to $9.5 Million Rental to 'Protect That Safe Haven'
Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. It turns out even Netflix can't get Meghan Markle to open her front door. The Duchess of Sussex may promise an "at home" feel in her lifestyle series "With Love, Meghan", but that sunlit kitchen and cozy dining table on screen? They're inside a $9.5 million rental — not the $14.7 million Montecito, California, estate she shares with Prince Harry, Prince Archie, and Princess Lilibet. In an interview with People magazine, Meghan explained why her Netflix series — which premiered March 4 — was filmed in a nearby rental that mirrors the style of her own home. "I wanted to protect that safe haven," she said. "We're a close-knit family, and I love those moments—putting Lili down for a nap, having lunch together, having sacred time together at the end of the day." Don't Miss: Would you have invested in eBay or Uber early? The same backers are betting on . 'Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. With a production crew topping 80 people, opening her actual kitchen wasn't an option. "Our kitchen is where Mama just cooks for the family, and with a crew of 80-plus people, that's a lot of people to have in your house!" Meghan said. She and Prince Harry, who married in 2018, purchased their Santa Barbara County property in 2020 after stepping back from royal duties. In a 2022 interview with The Cut, Meghan shared how a unique palm tree on the grounds caught their attention during the first tour — a symbol, perhaps, of the privacy and peace they were looking for. Trending: This Jeff Bezos-backed startup will allow you to . That sense of privacy explains why the on-screen version of "home" is actually someone else's. According to Meghan's first season was shot at a nearby four-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom property owned by local philanthropists Tom and Sherrie Cipolla. The couple purchased it for $4.7 million in 2017, and it's now valued at about $9.5 million. The location proved such a good fit that she returned to it for season two, rather than move production into her family's actual residence. Netflix's official description promised an "at home"-style experience with the former actress, so some viewers raised eyebrows when they learned the backdrop wasn't her real house. But for Meghan, that boundary seems non-negotiable. The Montecito estate is where Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet play, where family dinners happen without an audience, and where — as she puts it — the day ends in "sacred time together."For fans tuning in, the shift may not matter much. The rental property, with its sunlit kitchen, manicured gardens, and airy interiors, delivers the warm, aspirational vibe the show promises. And for Meghan, keeping her home off-limits preserves something even more valuable than a picture-perfect shot: the sanctuary she says keeps her grounded. As "With Love, Meghan" readies its second season, one thing seems clear — the Duchess is happy to share her California lifestyle, as long as the cameras know where to stop. Read Next: 2,000 High Earners Manage $6B With This AI Platform — Image: Shutterstock This article Meghan Markle Refuses To Film Netflix Show Inside Her Montecito Home, Instead Returns to $9.5 Million Rental to 'Protect That Safe Haven' originally appeared on
Newsweek
4 hours ago
- Newsweek
Fears Over Fulbright's Future as Trump Admin Cuts Exchange Programs
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Trump administration is moving to cut over 20 cultural exchange programs under the Department of State, it was reported Friday, raising concerns that flagship programs like Fulbright could be next. The Alliance for International Exchange told Newsweek that it had learned that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) had decided to cut at least 22 offerings from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) totaling around $100 million in annual funding. "While this does not impact flagship programs like Fulbright, Gilman, and IVLP at the moment, it sets a dangerous precedent," Mark Overmann, executive director of the Alliance, told Newsweek. "If OMB is allowed to act with impunity and unilaterally and cancel already appropriated ECA funding, it opens the door for them to do it again and again in the future." A State Department spokesperson told Newsweek that selected educational and cultural program grants were not being awarded in 2025, following a "careful review" of the current fiscal environment. Why It Matters The U.S. offers a variety of cultural exchange programs, where foreign nationals can come to the country on a temporary basis for a variety of work experience opportunities. Under the Trump administration, there have been moves to tighten the rules around temporary immigration, with several visa programs put at risk. What To Know President Donald Trump's OMB was said to be making the cuts to already-allocated funding for fiscal year 2025, following a delay in the process to secure the cash for late September. The following programs are reported to be affected, according to the Alliance for International Exchange: Community College Administrator Program (CCAP) Community College Initiative Program (CCI) Community Engagement Exchange (CEE, Leahy Initiative on Civil Society) Council of American Overseas Research Centers English Access Scholarship Program English Language Fellow Program Global Undergraduate Exchange Program IDEAS Program International Center for Middle Eastern-Western Dialogue (Hollings Center) Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) and YES Abroad Program Leaders Lead On-Demand Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders Mike Mansfield Fellowship Program National Clearinghouse for Disability and Exchange (NCDE) Professional Fellows Program Survey of International Educational Exchange Activity (IEEA) in the United States TechWomen The J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative U.S. Congress-Korea National Assembly Exchange Program U.S.-South Pacific Scholarship Program (USSP) Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Academic Fellowship Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Professional Fellowship Program (PFP) Many of these programs fall under the J visa issued by the State Department. It is a temporary visa which allows immigrants to work in a variety of roles, from camp counselors to teaching positions to au pairs. The first on the list, the CCAP, was seen as widely successful in a 2024 State Department report, with officials finding that alumni were provided with "theoretical and practical knowledge that directly contributes to participants' ability to influence change within their home institutions and to change education policy as well." Several of these programs are viewed as ways for U.S. culture and practices to be shared around the world by those who return to their home countries once their visa term ends. The U.S.' cultural exchange programs stem from the Fulbright scholarship, which is seen as one of the most prestigious programs of its kind in the world, with American students traveling elsewhere and foreign nationals headed to the U.S. While Fulbright was not seen as at-risk under the planned cuts, Overmann stressed that the flagship cultural exchange scholarship started by Senator J. William Fulbright in the 1940s could be next. The Alliance also warned that thousands of American students currently abroad on ECA funding could be left stranded if programs were suddenly cut. Office lights are illuminated in the U.S. Department of State headquarters building at dusk on July 11 in Washington, D.C. Office lights are illuminated in the U.S. Department of State headquarters building at dusk on July 11 in Washington, D.C. People Are Saying Executive Director of the Alliance for International Exchange Mark Overmann, in his statement to Newsweek: "This endangers the future of Fulbright, Gilman, and all international exchange programs and the effectiveness of U.S. public diplomacy." A State Department spokesperson referred Newsweek to previous comments by Secretary of State Marco Rubio: "Every dollar we spend, every program we fund, every policy we pursue must be justified by the answer to one of three questions: Does it make America safer? Does it make America stronger? Or does it make America more prosperous?" What Happens Next? The State Department is yet to formally announce the change, with uncertainty remaining for the hundreds of participants likely caught up in the cuts.
Newsweek
5 hours ago
- Newsweek
1 in 5 Homebuyers Willing to Sacrifice Safety for Bigger Savings: Poll
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Some house hunters are sacrificing safety for savings when it comes to their home pursuits, though new survey results show that living in an area with low levels of crime remains a top priority for most aspiring homeowners. "What stands out in this survey," Chen Zhao, Redfin's head of economic research, told Newsweek via email on Friday, "is that affordability challenges are now strong enough to shift the threshold for what people are willing to give up." Why It Matters Housing affordability remains an ongoing concern for myriad Americans who are navigating economic concerns and a housing market that has been topsy-turvy since the pandemic. The median U.S. home-sale price has increased more than 40 percent since before the pandemic, while mortgage rates are roughly double pre-pandemic and early-pandemic days, according to real estate and brokerage firm Redfin. More inventory has not exactly resulted in more home purchases, as homeowners with locked-in, pre-pandemic rates have been wary of selling off as the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage—the most popular home loan in the country—has been hovering between the 6-percent and the 7-percent marks since 2022, and was at 6.72 percent as of July 31, according to Freddie Mac. What To Know A Redfin-commissioned survey conducted by Ipsos in May and fielded to more than 4,000 U.S. homeowners and renters focused on 1,224 respondents who were planning to buy a home within the next 12 months. The survey has a credibility interval of 3.4 percentage points. The survey asked respondents the following question: "When thinking about the next home you live in, which of the following do you consider a must-have feature versus a feature you'd be willing to trade off to afford a home?" A street of partially finished new homes in a new suburban housing development in Spokane, Washington, USA. A street of partially finished new homes in a new suburban housing development in Spokane, Washington, USA. Getty Images Respondents were asked separately about 18 features, and for each one, they could choose "must have" or "willing to compromise to afford a home." The survey about negotiables and non-negotiables found that approximately one-in-five (22 percent) house hunters would compromise safety and personal security for a good deal. However, personal safety remained a "must-have" for such aspiring buyers. Coming in at second-most important was living in an area with a low crime rate, with about 74 percent of respondents calling it a major priority. "It's not especially surprising," Chen Zhao, Redfin's head of economic research, told Newsweek via email on Friday. "People have always weighed different priorities when buying a home, and the right balance depends on each household's circumstances. "What stands out in this survey is that affordability challenges are now strong enough to shift the threshold for what people are willing to give up. Safety is typically considered a fundamental need, but in today's market, some buyers feel they have no choice but to make concessions in that area if it means achieving homeownership." Priorities like safety, avoiding high-crime areas and being cognizant of environmental factors "has consistently ranked among the top considerations for buyers in our surveys," she added. "That's remained steady over time, though climate-related concerns have become more prominent," Zhao said. "Severe weather events have grown more frequent and costly in many parts of the country, and people are increasingly aware of how those risks can impact their quality of life, insurance costs, and a home's long-term value." Rounding out the top five "must-haves" were the following: Living in an area where homes are at a low risk of climate or natural disasters (68 percent) Access to grocery stores and farmers' markets (67 percent) Number of bedrooms (64 percent) Other notable items house hunters describe as non-negotiables include indoor space and square footage (63 percent); yard and outdoor space (62 percent); home type, such as a single-family dwelling (60 percent); number of bathrooms (58 percent); and space to work remotely from home (57 percent). Asked if some homeowners may be compromising more overall nowadays due to the state of the housing market and generally higher costs in many markets, Zhao said they are due to borrowing costs having made it much harder for buyers to find a property that checks all their boxes. "In many cases, they're expanding their search geographically, reducing their wish list or accepting trade-offs they wouldn't have considered five or ten years ago," she said. "Unfortunately, for some buyers, that means purchasing in areas that may carry higher safety risks, whether due to crime, natural hazards or other factors. It's a reflection of how constrained the market is right now." What People Are Saying Katie Shook, a Redfin Premier agent in Phoenix, in a statement: "Prices are starting to come down, but buyers–especially first-timers–are still battling with affordability. Buyers want a home that fits their practical needs: They're looking for a bedroom for every kid, space to work from home or an easy commute, things like that. Some more luxurious features, like a fully finished backyard with a pool or a recently renovated kitchen, aren't as valuable to buyers as they used to be. People might want those things, but they aren't willing to–or can't–pay more for them." What Happens Next As home prices level off or decline in major metros and inventories are projected to increase, industry analysts expect affordability to improve modestly in more markets by the end of 2025. Redfin's data has suggested that national home prices could fall up to 1 percent by year-end, giving some would-be buyers an opportunity to reenter the market. However, real estate markets remain highly regional.
