As ever launch

[AtIusvue]

Launches tomorrow.

So we will find out the prices and how the products will be sold

people are saying that my suggestion he should have had a week of contemplation/ grieving before touring is a silly idea and impossible to happen.
citing his feelings isn't an actual reasopn why he couldn't have done so

No one has said it was ‘impossible to happen’ we’ve just given suggestions as to why it happened. Quite why this insignificant incident with a pen in an emotional week is taking up so much headspace is beyond me.

@myrtleWilson

yes they have

What is this? Don't you understand how it all works? He's not an absolute monarch .

As we've said so little real understanding of the reality of the RF and their role by some.

Constitutionally Charles became King at the moment the Queen died. He then had to do things like the Proclamation (where the pen incident occurred) because that is what is required by law. The only difference was that it was televised because these days nearly everything is. King is a legal position with legal requirements. Can you imagine the outcry if he had stayed in London behind closed doors. Monarchs live their lives in public, the good bits and the hard bits. It makes me glad I'm not royal but, despite what some say, we have plenty of examples of public discontent when they try to keep things private.

I think Meghan missed a trick with her packaging. If the labels were beautiful (I’m thinking maybe a limited edition print or art work) then the keepsake/scarcity thing would be much better and the packaging more collectible. There’s a brand of Italian olive oil which comes in beautiful rainbow tins/bottles who also do some limited edition designs which I often think about splashing out on. Crucially the oil itself has good reviews too though.

It probably could have been done, but why? It’s the custom that monarch’s carry on after the death of the previous monarch and Charles may well have felt the fact that he had something to do in the immediate aftermath of his mother’s death was a welcome distraction. Sometimes we have to put duty and the feelings of others before ourselves. I’m pretty sure that Charles as monarch would be keenly aware of this, especially following the example of his mother. She probably wasn’t too thrilled that her life as a navy wife came to a premature end when her father died. Nor was her husband. But they sucked it up and go on with it

yes, he has to do the proclamation but there's no time limit on that.
Where does it say anywhere he has to immediately go on a tour of the Uk?
Where is it stated he is not allowed a week to himself first?

i was quite clearly told on here that it would be impossible for him to have a week to himself and that I am ignorant of how the monarchy works/ the law.
Still waiting for an actual explanation of why I'm wrong to suggest that but CBA to reply anymore as my actual question is being ignored

@Mightymoog

Can you kindly stop derailing and create another thread.

This is the As ever Meg thread.

Cheers

Don't know if this has been posted before but very much an enthusiatic puff piece. You write off the Duchess at your peril!

“At its conception, I had thought about the interest that people seem to have in my fashion, for example, what I would wear,” said Meghan. “I think there’s a parallel here, always the ‘high-low.’ I always loved things that present beautifully, but didn’t break the bank.”

With the global economy entering uncharted waters, this formula for success may prove even more enduring than ever before.

fortune.com/2025/04/08/duchess-meghan-founder-confessions-podcast-launch-as-ever-consumer-products/

And another https://www.thestar.com/life/meghan-markle-s-as-ever-jam-brand-finally-launched-is-it-a-hit/article_a49c00b6-57a6-5661-a777-4738b0223b89.html

Mrs Farrell may have a rogue cousin over the pond !

For Sharla Farrell, public relations and marketing consultant, it all feels very true to Meghan. “It’s her, that’s her brand, her passion,” Farrell says, drawing a straight line between her early lifestyle blog, The Tig, and As Ever. “She’s been doing this for years. She’s all about lifestyle, homemaking, craft, wellness. I’m not shocked that she has this brand — and I’m not shocked that it has sold out. At all.”

Same reason that the Queen couldn't have stayed at Balmoral with William and Harry away from the public when their mother had just died and helped to support them in the immediate aftermath. Public expectation, and more crucially media demands. Dammed if you do, dammed if you don't.

The preparations for the death of The Queen were years and years in the making, news channels paused all programming to create a media spectacle, rolling news, rehashing the same small details, running the same articles, digging out every person who ever met her to give their opinion, re-running documentaries etc. That sort of coverage comes with demands, and the demands are to see the new King.

I bet if he had refused to come out and be seen you would be one of the first to declare him as a petulant twat of a man child hiding away like a baby indulging his grief over the death of his very old mother when everyone else has to just get on and go to work. One rule for them one for the rest of us. He literally cannot win if you are determined to see only the negatives.

She always looks terrible. I've never seen one item that she's worn that I wanted to buy. She wears the wrong colors and doesn't dress for her body shape. Martha Stewart is more of a fashion icon. The poncho she wore when she left prison really took off.

https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna7548788

Edited for typo.

She always looks terrible. I've never seen one item that she's worn that I wanted to buy. She wears the wrong colors and doesn't dress for her body shape.

And what she wears is often not appropriate for the occasion - most of what she wore in Nigeria, for example.

She actually thinks people will buy her expensive crap….because it will bring them joy during a recession!!!!!

Let them eat cake and all that!!

“ I think during any time of recession, people still want to find creature comforts, items that can bring them joy.”’

https://fortune.com/2025/04/08/duchess-meghan-founder-confessions-podcast-launch-as-ever-consumer-products/

During a recession surely people will buy items that are value for money? I don't see that statement works with any of the items she is selling.

Anyone who is still talking about 'joy' in the hope of sounding profound and inspirational to sell you something, is at least 5 years late and hasn't yet realised that ship has sailed and you just sound like a outdated hack.

Marie Kondo was getting away with it 10 years ago because it seemed new and authentic.
Since then every influencer and celebrity has talked vacuously about 'sparking joy' to the point it's gone past meaningless and become embarrassing.

Then we had Kamala Harris' campaign of joy with her celeb support...

It's particularly idiotic to talk about getting joy from mass produced fruit spread or a packet of pancake mix.

I don't actually believe anyone falls for this inanity I think there are just people who want her to succeed so are prepared to pretend. But they make themselves look very foolish by doing so.

Funny line in there @AtIusvue

"I wanted to create products that look more prestige, but are more accessible and affordable."

What does that actually mean? The products look prestige but aren't? It's all about the look?

I thought the research has long shown that women (and let's face it, her product range is not aimed at men) buy lipstick during hard financial times personally and globally. Makes sense, even high end sort of affordable for many, easily obtained, gives a boost, etc.

Know what I'd rather have if it was a choice between lippy and packet pancake mix!

They seem almost direct opposite to that though.

They're a cheap version for premium plus prices.
So less prestige and definitely less affordable.

I think during any time of recession, people still want to find creature comforts, items that can bring them joy

This is true, but as ever she astonishes with the arrogance of thinking that people will find more joy in a jar of $14 Meghan Markle jam than in a $4 Smuckers jam and $10 on a coffee and pastry somewhere peaceful in the sun. Astonishing hubris to think that if a woman has a few dollars to spare when belts have been tightened and the national and household mood is low, they'd spend any spare cash on buying her overpriced, poor-value-for-money products (all already available for a fraction of the cost) because they are the essence of Meghan Markle rather than on, say, a new nail varnish or lip gloss. She's not in any sense a serious businesswoman (or person).

I wanted to create products that look more prestige, but are more accessible and affordable

She's actually saying out loud that the money people spend on her products is going on the packaging, not the ingredients. How idiotic can a person be?! This is exactly what people - including her - mean when they talk about her hostessing. She'll be all about the presentation and decor and candles and flowers, but when you sit down to eat it will be chicken nuggets and tater tots, pretzels from TJ's decanted into an expensive dish etc. It's so (sorry!) suburban and tacky. This is what she was during her 10 minutes in the RF: pitching up to an engagement wearing Dior and expensive makeup and hair, not a clue about where she was visiting or any interest in what she was doing. She's all about the look, totally empty inside. South Park had her bang on.

Well the saying empty vessels sounds apt!

At my most penny pinched times , mortgage , children etc , I did like a present or a bit of luxury. I recall getting a Chanel nail varnish for Christmas which is not in the grand scheme of things inaccessible but I loved it because in tight times it was something I would not have bought for myself. But it was Chanel! I did like the colour and you could get a Boots dupe. Now I will accept any criticism for for being influenced by the brand ( and it was good quality IIRC ) but I do think that I would not have been (at the time ) so delighted to get a Duchess of York nail varnish.

You too can also have the same colour varnish on your toes as I did when they were sucked on… would make quite the ad campaign

Perhaps another @CrushingOnRubies who will interested in the upcoming Lownie book 😂

During a recession, women do treat themselves to an expensive lipstick or nail varnish from a luxury brand. That's completely normal. It is something nice, a bit frivolous and a hope for a better time.

I can't believe she admits the products are cheap and nasty, it's all about the "luxury" packaging. Equally I don't believe there airy quote of "10s of thousands" produced. I did wonder if the honey was an issue with regards botulism.

Btw I'm still not over the English shortbread!