A cryptic tease from the orchard
Meghan Markle has given followers a glimpse of what's next for her lifestyle brand As Ever. In a short video shared on the brand's Instagram account, the Duchess of Sussex is seen walking through an apple orchard, carrying a basket of fruit and pausing to look up at the trees. The clip is captioned: "A little hint of what's coming." — followed by an apple emoji.
The post comes just days after reports emerged that Meghan and Prince Harry are preparing to return to the UK with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. The family is expected to make the journey at the end of August and stay for what a source described as "an extended period" — potentially six months, a year, or more, according to a source quoted in The Times.
While Meghan did not specify what the new product would be, the video appears to signal that her business ventures will continue from the UK. The duchess launched As Ever in 2025, selling preserves, honey, teas, baking mixes, and other pantry staples. She has also confirmed a new product: spiced apple butter, announced via a newsletter to customers on Tuesday evening, with the message: "Arriving tomorrow, a new As Ever pantry staple, just in time for fall."
The timing of the video has led some social media users to accuse Meghan of reusing footage from last October, when she promoted her Holiday Collection. One person on X wrote: "She's literally reusing the video from last year when she launched her Holiday Collection to tease her forthcoming apple-based product. That's just unbelievably pathetic." Another commented: "What's amazing about this blatant laziness is that it's not like she has anything else going on at the moment." Critics called the move "lazy" and "pathetic," though some fans expressed excitement, with one writing: "We are so ready, Meg!!!" and another praising her "phenomenal" marketing team.
The acting comeback question
The video also comes amid ongoing speculation about Meghan's potential return to acting. Reports have suggested she has been in discussions for a role in the third season of Netflix's The Gentlemen, a Guy Ritchie crime caper. The show has been renewed for a third series, confirmed by Netflix, with the second season set to drop on September 3. The third series has not yet begun filming, but the cast includes Theo James, Ray Winstone, and Vinnie Jones.
According to the Daily Mirror, entertainment sources have said "nothing has changed" regarding talks, and that negotiations remain ongoing — though no formal agreement has been reached. The Mirror reports that Meghan met Ritchie through mutual acquaintances and that any role would be in the third series. Netflix has not confirmed the casting, and neither Meghan's team nor Harry and Meghan's representatives have commented publicly.
However, royal author Tina Brown has claimed the casting has been withdrawn. In a post on X, she wrote: "I learned this morning the casting of Meghan in The Gentlemen has been withdrawn. The backlash in the UK was so intense, it became untenable." This claim has not been confirmed by Netflix or by the Sussexes' team.
Some commentators have questioned whether Meghan could successfully return to acting at all. TV editor Emily Baker argued that Meghan is now "too famous" and "too divisive" to go back to her former career. "She has spent the past five years playing the part of Meghan – wife, mother, homemaker, jam seller," Baker wrote. "The jump back to actor is just too much of a stretch after all the work she's done to turn herself into a brand." She added: "The integrity of any character, storyline, film or series would be immediately undermined by her presence – all we'd see is the Duchess of Sussex pretending to be someone else."
Meghan left her acting career behind when she joined the Royal Family, with her last major role being Rachel Zane in Suits. She has since filmed a cameo in the upcoming comedy Close Personal Friends.
Celebrity chef Jameson Stocks, speaking exclusively to the Daily Express, was similarly sceptical about Meghan's UK prospects. He said he was not surprised by reports of the Sussexes' return, describing it as "a clear case of running back with their tail between their legs." He criticised Meghan's past ventures, saying "almost everything she became involved in appeared to fail," and predicted that any new Netflix opportunity would be "car-crash television." Stocks added: "They'd be disgraceful if given yet another chance" and found it "embarrassing that they got paid so much money" for content he regarded as poor. He acknowledged, however, that it was "not for me to say" whether British audiences would get behind her.
The Sussexes' UK return
The couple's move has been widely reported across outlets including The Sun, which first reported the story. They are expected to settle in a non-royal residence outside London, maintaining their primary home in Montecito, California, as well as a property in Portugal. They will not be working royals, and will not receive money from the public purse.
Archie and Lilibet have reportedly been enrolled in UK schools starting in September, and the family's pet dogs will accompany them, while their chickens stay in California. The exact reason for the relocation remains unclear, though reports have suggested it could be linked to Meghan's acting prospects and Harry's desire to be closer to his father, King Charles. A source told The Sun that Meghan is "very excited" at the prospect of acting again, which is believed to be a key factor in the decision.
King Charles was informed of the plans earlier this month, three days before the news became public, and is said to welcome the opportunity to see more of the Sussex family. Prince William and Princess Catherine were reportedly also made aware of the decision.
Perspectives
The Sussexes' perspective
While the couple has not publicly commented on the speculation, reports suggest they view this as an opportunity for an extended stay that allows flexibility, with a source telling The Times: "They might suddenly go: 'Why don't we try Canada for a while? Why don't we try Australia?' It's one of the great things about being private individuals." The source added that the return is seen as a chance to be closer to family, with Harry reportedly wanting to be near King Charles.
The critics' view
Critics, including chef Jameson Stocks and TV editor Emily Baker, argue that Meghan's past ventures have underperformed and that her fame and polarising public image make a successful return to acting unlikely. Stocks described the move as "running back with their tail between their legs," while Baker wrote that her presence would undermine any project she joined.
The financial potential
Some sources, however, see commercial value in Meghan's return to acting. A source told The Sun: "Her return to acting is expected to draw a large audience of both her supporters and critics, and is likely to make a lot of money. It will be seen as a major coup for whoever signs her."