As Never the second release ...

[onehorserace]

Wine, apricot spread and honey. I think we've had all the suggestions for names already ?

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14832085/amp/Meghan-Markle-new-products-rose-wine-apricot-spread.html

Just regards this point, it's been commented on that she recorded that video about the flower sprinkles at 8.42am, but eagle eyes have seen she didn't actually post it until an hour or so after. And the flower sprinkles didn't sell out for another couple of hours after that.

Proceeds from The Royal Collection merchandise go to The Royal Collection Trust, which was set up in 1993. Its aim is to preserve and maintain the massive art collection and many of the buildings which once were owned directly by the Monarch, but which are now held in Trust for the nation. So that’s where some of your jam money goes! A worthy cause, of course.

I could be wrong but surely to make a significant profit, AE would surely have needed to shift a large volume of lower priced goods or gone for smaller numbers in the high end exclusive bracket where provenance is important. As far as I can see all this has done neither, but is selling white label merch for niche market prices. It feels cynical and exploitative and doesn't make sense as a business model at all, so am very inclined to agree with @IdaGlossop about her playing at it.

I don't know where this leaves the Female Founder crap or indeed their need for some kind of income, though.

No, it goes to the King's Foundation, which is a charity.

I agree with you especially on your supposition that they themselves do not know what is next.

To recap, H&M wanted to be the American branch of the royal family (half-in, half-out) per their Megxit statement. They wanted UK funding for their "royal" activities while pocketing cash from private deals. So they developed branding to position themselves in this world alongside Former USA Presidents (Obamas/Clintons), Tech Bros, A-List Celebs and their respective charitable endeavors (tax deductible in the US!).

Then reality bit. No HIHO. No UK dough. So, a pivot to reality TV to get enough money to cover the growing pile of bills.

After multiple failed/cancelled/sub-par projects and the "f*ing grifters" comment from Spotify destroyed all prospects of future lucrative media deals, we saw another pivot to a lifestyle brand. Twerking was sheer desperation to break through the crowded US media landscape as H&M are non-existent in a way few Brits can imagine. Think of your local celebs that perform at the pub on Fridays/Saturdays. That is the visibility that H&M have as minnows in the vast ocean of US celebrityhood.

https://www.highgrovegardens.com/pages/the-kings-foundation
More about the King's Foundation.

It’s not particularly surprising that royal collection merchandise goes to the royal collection.

Thats not where the highgrove jam money goes though. That goes to the king’s foundation.

Excellent points, @My2cents1975 👍

Thank you. Cross post, but worth repeating to call out , shall we say, misinformation.

No, I can’t. The world is full of people using their name to sell stuff-Gordon Ramsay, Prue Leith - I can only think of cooks but there are plenty of others. Meghan isn’t selling her stuff under false pretences. She’s not pretending it’s for anything other than her personal profit and if people are dumb enough to buy it, then caveat emptor. I’m currently stopping myself buying a Dolly Parton branded cast iron skillet!

No of course it isn’t.

You can't see the difference between selling something to make money for yourself (Meghan) and selling something to make money for charities? (King Charles)?
Really?

I'd buy something from Dolly Parton because she's a very generous supporter of all manner of good charities eg literacy and vaccinations. Dolly rocks.
Plus: she has talent and has worked hard. That's the difference.

I actually agree with you that she’s not doing anything wrong. I wouldn’t buy it, but selling over priced stuff isn’t something uniquely awful. Loads of celebrities use their names this way.

I do think it’s odd to compare it to anything that is sold to raise money for a charity though (even if you don’t personally support that charity).

This ⬆️

The discussion upthread compared As Ever honey with Highgrove honey.

Proceeds from Highgrove products go to the King's Foundation, as I said.

Also, she doesn't talk in word salad and take herself and her own importance entirely too seriously. She's seen as authentic and not because she claims to be but because other people perceive it.

Definitely. She laughs at herself, and her appearance "it costs a lot of money to look this cheap", 😊 she's kind and sincere, and very authentic.

I'm trying to think of a single example of an unpopular 'celebrity' who has created a successful brand. I haven't come up with one yet.

'Meghan isn’t selling her stuff under false pretences.'

What now?
She's pretending her mass market basic foodstuff is some kind of artisan hand made luxury good. She's fleecing her customers and lying to them.

Some of the individuals buying her products obviously don't have a great deal of money to spare. Pretty shameful on the duchess' part to be flogging them a load of hokum, no?

Very good point. I'm failing too. People will watch those they don't like but they aren't going to put their hands in their pockets and give them money unless possibly the chosen business is an ice cream van in the desert. There is too much choice.

I honestly think it looks cheap. Obviously it isn’t.
It’s like a Matalan own brand, although I have a feeling they’d like the labeling look better.

The packaging and web design are far from the confidently high-end feel of Fortnum & Mason, Harvey Nichols and Highgrove but I may think that because I am British and not American.

Hilary Baldwin is also extremely unlikeable and has the same manic desire as Meghan to receive adulation from everyone despite having no discernible talent or skill.

Confidence and self belief is to be admired, but these two are arrogant and act superior.

I believe it comes from a fracture they experienced in their childhood where for a period of time, whether it be a day or weeks or months, they felt incredibly inferior and to overcome these feelings they developed a hardness and a belief that they were in actual fact, better than everyone else.

They have carried this distain through to adulthood.

I didn’t realise that-is she selling it as hand made artisanal stuff? Then that is shit. I don’t think she can be held responsible for dingbats buying stuff they can’t afford, though.