Six weeks have passed since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle returned to Britain with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, and it seems Markle has been working overtime to boost her income or generate headlines. Then again, why choose when you can do both?
The Duchess of Sussex first launched a luxury Advent calendar and gourmet chocolate collection priced at 112 British pounds (453 shekels). The calendar was created "inspired by her home and garden in Montecito" and features a festive illustration of the $15 million mansion where she and Prince Harry lived for six years.
A press release stated that "every detail has been carefully considered," including the countdown numbers, written in Meghan's handwriting using edible gold dust.
The limited-edition product contains 24 handmade chocolates, with flavors including strawberry, raspberry, blueberry and orange marmalade, alongside what is described as a "special chocolate decorated with Meghan's floral sprinkles." A dark chocolate ganache truffle from Compartés is also included, while the promotional material claims Meghan's handwriting makes "each day's reveal a small, personal moment."
Several days later, it emerged that the duchess had marked International Day of the Girl on October 11 by launching a new charitable collaboration, designing a sweatshirt with Moms Offering More (MOM), a nonprofit organization supporting mothers and families in need.
Markle helped design a cream-colored sweatshirt priced at $100, with the message "It's the Little Things" embroidered on the back and one sleeve. All proceeds from sales will go to Moms Offering More and Alliance of Moms.
"As parents, we all share one aspiration," she said in a statement to People magazine. "To ensure our children have a safe and loving future. That's why we at Archewell Philanthropies have partnered with Moms Offering More on this meaningful campaign in support of Alliance of Moms. We can all appreciate how the 'little things' add up to big results, especially when it comes to our children's future. We're proud to collaborate on this initiative to mark International Day of the Girl."
Meghan models the sweatshirt
(Photo: Instagram)
And now comes the real headline. It was only a matter of time before news emerged of another television project involving the duchess, particularly after her previous attempt and negotiations over a possible appearance in "The Gentlemen" fell apart.
Now reports indicate that Markle is expected to return to television screens later this month.
On October 19, Markle will appear as a guest judge on MasterChef Australia. Her brief television appearance will air on a channel whose schedule also features reruns of older series.
A television industry insider said: "Meghan will finally be able to watch herself on television again, but it won't be on a streaming giant, the BBC or even ITV. It will air on Freeview, somewhere down at channel 25. Still, it will be the first time in a long while that she's appeared on our screens, and UKTV executives are hoping it will give ratings a boost."
The source added: "She'll undoubtedly be delighted to be back on television, but it's hardly the grand comeback people were talking about. She's a divisive figure among the British public, so it will be interesting to see how viewers in Britain respond."
Meghan on Australia's MasterChef
(Photo: Screenshot)
Back in July, reports had already emerged that the duchess had filmed her appearance on the show, accompanied by rumors of tensions on set. "She was very frustrated by the way she was presented ahead of her appearance on the show," one insider claimed. Another source dismissed the allegations, insisting that "it's all nonsense. Meghan had a wonderful time."
In a promotional clip for the episode, one of the show's judges can be heard introducing Meghan: "We've welcomed MasterChef royalty into the kitchen before, but nothing quite like this. From sunny California, please welcome ... the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, to MasterChef Australia."
Australian news website news.com.au quoted a source who claimed that Meghan and her team only heard the wording used in the promotional clip when it was released to the public and were not particularly pleased with it.
"Markle's team had made it explicitly clear that she did not want the word 'royal' to be used. Meghan and Harry are members of the royal family, but the use of that title has been a sensitive issue since their decision to step down as senior working royals in 2020."