Meghan Markle has big plans in the pipeline for her As Ever lifestyle brand – and they're set to coincide with her upcoming trip to Australia with Prince Harry.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will travel Down Under next month, with Meghan on the list to speak at the Her Best Life retreat, where tickets cost $2,699 for access to events including a gala dinner, meals, alcohol and two nights at the InterContinental Hotel in Sydney.
Ahead of the trip, Meghan, 44, has registered 12 trademarks in Australia for As Ever, according to filings with the Australian Government's intellectual property office filed in September 2024 and approved last year.
The filings cover a range of categories, including skincare, candles, gardening, clothes, jewellery, homeware, event planning, podcasts and self-care under the description "fancy".
They also include "gardening trowels, gardening shears, gardening wedding forks" and a "garden tool gift set", as well as "yoga straps" and "pet feeding mats".
Next steps for Meghan's business
It means that Meghan could be tapping As Ever, which is currently only sold in the US and online, into a new market, following news that her brand had split from Netflix and is "ready to stand on its own".
It comes after a spokesperson for the Duchess told ITV that there had been no "decision" about expanding to Australia, saying any rumours were merely "speculation". Her line of products currently includes her raspberry jam, herbal teas, candles and flower sprinkles.
Speaking on a HELLO!'s A Right Royal Podcast, our Royal Editor, Emily Nash, revealed that the Sussexes' visit to Oz is expected to be "largely a business trip".
© Variety via Getty ImagesFollowing the split from Netflix, Emily emphasised the importance of finding "other revenue streams" and a "new market" for As Ever.
"That's been a bit of a slow divorce," Emily said. "This is a conscious uncoupling, I would say. It has been a slow burn because we sort of had this definitely had the sense that things weren't right a long time ago. So she does need to look at other revenue streams. And maybe Australia is in her new market."
She added: "The key focus, certainly for Meghan, is appearing at this retreat for which tickets cost £1500, there's two packages, including a VIP one. Harry's got a very strong military connection. He spent time serving alongside the Australian Army back in 2015. So there are reasons for him to go, certainly. His Invictus movement is very popular in Australia as well."
Harry and Meghan's trip to Australia
Prince Harry and Meghan will land in Sydney and Melbourne in mid-April, it was revealed earlier this month. A spokesperson for the couple said at the time: "Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, will visit Australia in mid-April to take part in a number of private, business, and philanthropic engagements. Further details will be shared in due course."
© GettyThe couple last visited Australia in October 2018 for a 16-day royal tour, when Meghan was pregnant with Prince Archie. They are not expected to be joined by Archie, six, and their daughter, Princess Lilibet, four, for the upcoming trip.
News of the visit came after speculation that the Prince and Princess of Wales would soon visit Australia. At the St Patrick's Day parade in 2025, Kate was heard saying she hoped to take the children back to Australia in the near future.
Speaking on A Right Royal Podcast, Emily Nash explained: "It's definitely been something that is in their pipeline. It is difficult because William is the future head of state. As things stand in Australia, they still remain incredibly popular, but they have not been there since Prince George was a baby, six months old, as we know.
"And there are lots of reasons for that. Don't forget, we've had a huge pandemic, a global pandemic. Catherine's had cancer. I think they can absolutely be forgiven for not having gone before now. But that is going to be a question people are asking."
