Online investigators quickly discovered that As Ever, Sonoma, and Savannah Bee Company were all offering the same orange blossom honey—merely with varying prices and packaging.
Savannah Bee, thought to be the initial supplier, offers its product for $18. The Bridgerton-branded edition from Williams Sonoma is priced at $23. Meghan’s As Ever bottle, which holds even less product, is sold at a premium price of $28.
This caused numerous people to infer that the partnership between the supplier and brand was possibly the outcome of a covert agreement between Netflix and Markle—intended to prevent clashes between a prospective With Love Meghan product line and the existing Bridgerton merchandise.
Users think Markle is intentionally limiting the availability of her products to enhance her brand’s image.
Despite claims that customers are paying for the branding rather than the honey itself, Markle’s product thrived. Soon after the launch of As Ever’s honey, it quickly sold out as enthusiasts clamored to purchase a bottle.
“It’s all so pathetic,” one user concluded. “Meghan’s fans may as well just buy the Bridgerton products—at least those are actually in stock.”
Some think Markle is intentionally limiting the availability of her products to enhance her brand’s image. “Her goal isn’t to sell a billion jars of jam.” It demonstrates to investors that she is so well-liked that her products sell quickly.
As Ever has faced controversy since its inception. In February, shortly after its debut, the brand’s logo faced criticism as it was alleged to closely resemble the coat of arms of Porreres, a small town in Mallorca, Spain.
“The similarities are undeniable,” said Porreres mayor Xisca Mora. “They are the same, except the birds are a little different, and they use different colors, but they are nearly identical.”
At the time, Doug Eldrige, a PR strategist, called the mistake “a comedy of errors.”
“Despite her vast resources and connections, she still hasn’t learned to navigate the branding space effectively,” he added.
