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Meghan Markle has hinted that the next product she will launch under her lifestyle brand is lavender honey, as uncertainty over her and Prince Harry's planned trip to the UK grows.
The reveal comes after critics suggested the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are 'playing into the hands of those who say they court drama to sell Meghan's jam' after a 'tiresome' back-and-forth over whether or not their children will travel to Britain for the first time in four years.
Amid reports that Prince Harry is reconsidering bringing Meghan, Prince Archie, and Princess Lilibet to the UK next month, the Duchess, 44, posted a photograph of amber-coloured honey on As Ever's Instagram page with the caption: 'A hint of lavender. Coming soon.'
When it launches, lavender will be As Ever's fourth honey variant after sage, wildflower, and orange blossom.
The brand's Sage Honey with Honeycomb is priced at $32 (£24), whereas the Honey Duo Gift Box, comprising the floral and citrus varieties, costs $62 (£46).
Meghan is continuing to promote her Montecito-based lifestyle venture, even as the Sussexes' trip to the UK hangs in the balance.
Just 24 hours after Harry and Meghan released details of their planned engagements during the five-day visit to promote the Invictus Games in Birmingham next year, it was claimed the Duke was having second thoughts after his request for police protection was turned down.
Insiders said on Saturday night that the King is likely to be deeply dismayed if the meeting does not now go ahead.
Meghan Markle has hinted that the next product she will launch under her lifestyle brand is lavender honey as uncertainty over her and Prince Harry's planned trip to the UK grows
The Duchess, 44, posted a photograph of amber-coloured honey on As Ever's Instagram page with the caption: 'A hint of lavender. Coming soon'
The Duke himself had been described as 'desperate' for Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, to see their grandfather.
They were also said to be planning a poignant visit to the Althorp Estate in Northamptonshire, where Harry's mother, Princess Diana, is buried.
One source told The Mail on Sunday: 'On Friday night, the Sussex office issued an op [operational] note saying that the full family would be coming to the UK and they had accepted royal accommodation. The next day, they pull out.
'It's a total joke and a farce. They are totally playing into the hands of those who say they court drama like this to sell Meghan's jam.'
One person familiar with the situation added: 'For the sake of family harmony, the Palace would have been perfectly happy with a peaceful and low-key visit. Yet, once again, they have turned it into a soap opera. It's tiresome.'
While the children are not expected to attend any public events, the Duchess was scheduled to join her husband on visits to Royal Hospital Chelsea and an Invictus event in Birmingham.
Details of the trip were announced last Friday.
Reports claimed that the Duke later learned his application for security for the visit had been denied.
The King's estranged son was stripped of his 24-hour, taxpayer-funded armed guard on visits to the UK after he quit royal duties and moved to the US in search of a lucrative commercial career.
He then lost a High Court appeal over the move, which he vehemently criticised as an 'establishment stitch-up'.
But it then emerged that the Home Office, via its risk management board Ravec, had ordered a reassessment of his situation.
However, the Duke was told last week that the review had not taken place and had in fact been 'paused'.
It means his family's taxpayer-funded protection in the UK does not extend beyond royal residences. The Sussexes do, however, travel with their own bodyguards.
Earlier this month, Meghan unveiled a new matcha collaboration with 'my favourite gal' Hannah Mendoza, who co-founded the wellness drinks brand the Duchess invested in after quitting the Royal Family.
The Duchess has been an investor in California-based Clevr Blends since December 2020 and even appeared as a background extra in an Instagram advert for the company in 2023.
Taking their partnership one step further, Meghan revealed that As Ever had created 'The Strawberry Matcha Set' in collaboration with Clevr Blends.
One might expect then that Clevr Blends would encourage its customer base to use Meghan's As Ever products – but its recipe for a Strawberry Jam Cold Foam Matcha Latte instead tells shoppers to use one to two tablespoons of rival Bonne Maman Strawberry Preserves.
Fans branded the apparent blunder 'awkward', adding: 'Oopsie' and 'You can't make this stuff up'.
It comes after royal fans speculated that Meghan had added an impressive new ring to her jewellery collection.
Meghan showcased the piece in her Instagram post on May 11, suggesting it was perhaps an early anniversary present from her husband, Prince Harry, with their special day landing on May 19.
Others have claimed the piece bears a striking resemblance to the Princess of Wales's engagement ring, the 12-carat oval sapphire previously owned by her mother-in-law, Princess Diana.
Meghan donned the ring again in another video for As Ever, which showed her collecting fresh fruit and vegetables in the garden.
Taking to X, one said: 'Meghan Markle's latest As Ever video shows her wearing a new ring that resembles Princess Diana and Princess Catherine's engagement ring!'
It follows rumours that, in the aftermath of Princess Diana’s death, Harry reportedly selected Diana's Garrard sapphire engagement ring, while William opted for her Cartier Tank Française watch.
In 2010, it is believed the brothers swapped items so William could use the ring to propose to Catherine, the Princess of Wales. Later, Harry gave the luxurious timepiece to Meghan.
However, in his bombshell biography Spare, released in 2023, the Duke of Sussex branded these reports 'absolutely rubbish'.