Meghan Markle has admitted she makes “mistakes” but insists she is learning everyday in a wide-ranging interview following the release of her Netflix show. The Duchess of Sussex also said her new lifestyle brand As Ever is her “heartsong” and she was working “to find all the joy” of running a business.
Speaking at Godmothers, a bookshop named by Meghan’s pal Oprah, the 43-year-old also discussed books she and Prince Harry read to Archie, five, and Lilibet, three. Meghan was said to be upbeat about the future despite suffering a raft of brutal reviews about her lifestyle series ‘With Love, Meghan’.
She said: “Right now! I’m launching my business, As Ever, which has been my heartsong for years. Every day I’m learning so much as a founder. I’m taking baby steps and big strides at the same time, making mistakes and learning from them, and really working to find all the joy while diving into the creative process and the business.
“Being in the granular parts of the business gives me the same feeling I have when I’m gardening: bare hands in the soil, planting a seed with so much care, and nurturing it as it grows. There’s something energizing about being in my 40s and turning my passion project into a business – and sharing that with the world.”
It comes as Meghan’s new show was widely panned by critics. The show, which premiered on March 4, was described as “a Montecito ego trip nor worth taking” by Hollywood magazine Variety. Other critics said the 8-part programme was a “gormless lifestyle filler” with a “tangible desperation”.
The series has a 19% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a review site, from more than 1,000 viewers. During the interview, Meghan also revealed Archie and Lilibet liked reading a book dealing with heartache and a picture book about a cat.
She said: “We’re deep in the world of children’s books and may I just say, I absolutely love it! So many picture books offer insights and perspective that I wish I had had exposure to as a child.
“Two current favourites: Brendan Wenzel’s They All Saw a Cat shows a cat from the perspective of a bee, a dog, and everything in between. To some, the cat looks scary; to others, it looks playful. It’s the best reminder that even as adults, we can all be looking at, or talking about, the exact same thing, but we’ll all see it differently. I’ve gifted this book to kids and adults. It’s amazing!
“The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld is an incredible book that reminds us that people need you to show up for them in different ways. Above all, it beautifully articulates the power of listening. Sometimes that’s all people need.”
Despite her show’s poor reception, the Duchess revealed it had been renewed for a second season. In an Instagram post this afternoon, she uploaded a story with the caption, “I’m thrilled to share that season 2 of With Love, Meghan is coming!” Since signing on with Netflix in 2020, the Sussexes have had one smash hit and three duds.
The biographical ‘Harry & Meghan’ was viewed in almost 29 millions in its first four days and proved to be a global sensation. But their other series – Polo, Live to Lead and Heart of Invictus – failed to get massive fanfare. Despite its lacklustre debut, With Love, Meghan did cause some controvery.
In episode two, comedian and Hollywood star Mindy Kaling joined the Duchess of Sussex as Markle showed all of her tips and tricks for hosting a children’s party. However, while the two were putting things together in the kitchen, fans caught what they believed to be an awkward moment between the two as Markle corrected Kaling on her last name.
“It’s so funny too, that you keep saying ‘Meghan Markle,'” The Duchess told Kaling. “You know I’m Sussex now,” she added.
Meghan’s insistence on using her title as a surname has caused a stir among royal watchers, with many questioning her decision to adopt ‘Sussex’ as her family name, especially in light of the couple’s limited connection to the country.
While members of the Royal Family are entitled to the style of HRH Prince or Princess and do not need to use their surname day to day, according to Buckingham Palace, the family’s name is Mountbatten-Windsor.
